Russia denies stalling Ukraine peace talks

Russia on Wednesday denied accusations from Ukraine and European nations that it is deliberately slowing down the peace process, while stating that no venue has been confirmed yet for future talks — including the possibility of them being held at the Vatican.

Moscow has for weeks defied Western pressure for a full, unconditional and immediate truce in Ukraine, where its more than three-year offensive has killed tens of thousands of people.

Despite direct talks in Istanbul with Ukrainian officials and a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump earlier this week, the Kremlin has not yielded to pressure to halt its attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Moscow — which holds the upper hand on the battlefield — is trying to "buy time" to continue its offensive and grab more land.

After his call with Trump on Monday, Putin said that Russia would present its ideas of a "memorandum" on possible steps to peace to Kiev.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that it would be “great” if ceasefire discussions between Russia and Ukraine took place at the Vatican, suggesting the setting would lend added significance to the talks.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that Pope Leo had assured her of his willingness to host the next round of negotiations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the willingness of all parties to help accelerate a resolution but emphasized that no official decision on a meeting location had been made. He also noted that Moscow had not yet received any formal proposals from the Vatican.

Last week, delegations from both countries met in Istanbul for their first direct negotiations since March 2022, during which they agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each. However, Russia did not agree to the immediate, unconditional ceasefire proposed by Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin spoke with Trump by phone on Monday, and the two discussed developing a memorandum for a potential peace agreement. This led to renewed criticism from Kyiv and European governments, accusing Moscow of using delay tactics and lacking genuine commitment to peace.

Peskov dismissed those claims, saying, “No one is interested in delaying the process. Everyone is working actively. Most of the negotiations are being conducted behind closed doors for obvious reasons, and we will keep you updated.”

He also said Russia would put forward a "list of conditions for a ceasefire", saying this was agreed at the Istanbul talks.

Peskov gave no time frame on when the "memorandum" — about which Zelensky said he had no details — nor when ceasefire conditions would be published or handed over to Kiev.

Kiev had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, which was first suggested by Trump, in March.

But Russia has consistently rejected a 30-day halt in fighting proposed by the West and outlined hardline demands for a wider peace settlement.

Despite the diplomatic flurry, fighting has raged on in Ukraine this week and both sides reported attacks Wednesday.

Russia said Ukraine had launched more than 150 drones, mostly at its border regions, but also at Moscow.