Moscow: Kremlin Denies Upcoming Peace Talks with Ukraine
The Kremlin announced on Thursday that no new peace talks with Ukraine have been finalized, contradicting reports suggesting negotiations might soon take place at the Vatican.
In recent weeks, diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict have intensified. Last week marked the first in-person discussions between Russian and Ukrainian officials in over three years, held in Istanbul.
A report from the Wall Street Journal indicated that additional talks were expected to occur in mid-June at the Vatican, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted these claims. He stated, “There have been no agreements on this matter,” and dismissed Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s suggestion that preliminary discussions could start soon in the Vatican.
Peskov emphasized, “There are no specific agreements for the next meetings. This has yet to be agreed upon.”
Despite ongoing Western calls for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, Russia has continued its military operations in Ukraine, which have resulted in significant casualties.
Recently elected as the first U.S. pope, Leo XIV expressed his willingness to mediate between warring nations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed that the Vatican is prepared to host peace talks focused on Ukraine.
Additionally, Switzerland has expressed its willingness to facilitate future peace discussions, according to Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for the Ukrainian president.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to address the ongoing violence, but there were no indications that these conversations or the recent discussions in Istanbul led to any concessions from Russia.
