Kremlin announces new Ukraine-Russia negotiations amid maximalist demands

In Ukraine, the Kremlin has announced a new round of negotiations with Kyiv, with the date expected to be revealed this week. This comes after three previous rounds of talks took place in Istanbul, including one in 2022 that resulted in the Istanbul Communiqué. Other meetings in May 2025 led to a significant 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange deal, while another negotiation in early June resulted in further exchanges. The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that achieving the war goals established by President Vladimir Putin at the onset of the 2022 invasion remains a priority for Russia, specifically mentioning the aim to achieve the so-called de-militarization of Ukraine, which would undermine its sovereignty. Amidst this backdrop, Putin recently reinforced his stance by asserting his desire to end the conflict yet simultaneously questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government. At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin declared that all of Ukraine belongs to Russia, claiming that 'Russians and Ukrainians are one people.' Meanwhile, President Zelensky responded by stating that Ukraine will defend itself vigorously and that Russia has rejected all peace proposals from various nations. Zelensky emphasized that it is Putin who has consistently dismissed attempts at mediation from third-party countries, Alluding to a broader international desire for peace but an unwillingness from the Russian side to engage in genuine negotiations.