Kremlin sees no basis for peace talks with Ukraine, blames UK for prolonging war

Russia sees no grounds for optimistic peace negotiations with Ukraine, citing Kyiv's current position, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Thursday. "At the moment, given the position of the Kyiv authorities, there is no basis for optimism regarding the possibilities of a peaceful resolution of the conflict," Peskov said during a press conference, as reported by The Moscow Times. He added that the situation on the front lines is well-known and that the "special military operation" continues. Peskov also accused some European nations, especially the United Kingdom, of actively working to prolong the conflict and encourage other states to continue fighting. He suggested the UK is doing "everything possible" to reduce EU fatigue from the protracted war. Meanwhile, a planned visit to Moscow by envoys of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, which was announced in May, remains unconfirmed with no specific dates set, according to Interfax. Despite significant damage from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, disruptions to Black Sea grain exports, and the destruction of over 20 Wildberries warehouses, President Vladimir Putin reportedly intends to increase pressure on Ukraine. Sources close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg in July that Putin is tightening demands, aiming to occupy all of Donbas and believing negotiations can only resume after this goal is achieved. He has also abandoned the idea of territorial exchanges. Putin has decided that informal agreements made with the U.S. president during a summit in Anchorage in August 2025 are no longer valid. Russian defense officials are reportedly confident they will control the remaining part of the Donetsk region by the end of the year, but some military personnel believe this target may not be met, potentially extending the Donbas fighting into 2027.

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At the moment, given the position of the Kyiv authorities, there is no basis for optimism regarding the possibilities of a peaceful resolution of the conflict.