Russia's Denying Kremlin Holds Peaceful Talks With Ukraine

Dmitry Peskov. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected accusations Ukraine and Europe said Russia was trying to stall the peace process with Ukraine, saying no decision had yet been made on the venue when asked if it could be organized by the Vatican.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia welcomes "the readiness and efforts of all parties wishing to contribute to a swift settlement", but nothing has yet been decided about where the next meeting will be held.

President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with United States President Donald Trump on Monday, saying Russia and Ukraine would work on a memorandum of understanding relating to the peace agreement, prompting new accusations from Kyiv and the European government that Moscow is stalling for time and has no serious interest in peace. This was rejected by Peskov.

"No one is interested in delaying this process. Everyone is working dynamically. We will continue to provide you with information. Of course, most of this work is done secretly, and it is not allowed, for clear reasons, to be opened to the public," he said.

President Trump said on Monday it would "be very good" for Russia and Ukraine to hold ceasefire talks at the Vatican, saying it would add to extra significance to the process.

On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Pope Leo XIV had confirmed to him the willingness to host the next round of negotiations.

Moscow has not yet received a specific proposal from the Vatican, he said.

Earlier, the warring party met in Istanbul last week for the first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022, agreeing to an exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side, but Russia did not agree to the ceasefire immediately without the conditions Ukraine is seeking.