Russia has ruled out a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine for the time being, despite repeated international appeals for peace, including direct engagement from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that achieving Russia’s goals through political negotiations “does not appear possible” at this moment, even though President Vladimir Putin reiterated during a recent phone call with Trump that Russia prefers a political and diplomatic settlement.
‘However, since that currently does not appear possible, we are continuing our special military operation,’ Peskov stated during a briefing, adding that Russia’s objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged.
The remarks followed reports that Trump, who spoke with Putin on Thursday, expressed disappointment with the Russian leader and questioned his commitment to ending the war.
Trump is expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later today amid calls for the U.S. to resume paused weapons shipments to Ukraine.
According to Peskov, discussions are still ongoing to coordinate dates for a potential third round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, though no timeline has been confirmed.
He also said a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin this summer is ‘needed’ but would have to be ‘well-prepared.’
The Kremlin’s comments come just hours after Russia carried out its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, firing 550 drones and missiles overnight.
The attacks caused widespread destruction across Kyiv and other cities, drawing sharp condemnation from Zelenskyy, who labelled the strikes ‘cynical’ and called for stronger international pressure on Russia.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, also weighed in on the issue, accusing Putin of mocking Trump’s peace efforts and urging the former U.S. president to restore military support to Ukraine.
Despite the diplomatic stalemate, Russia and Ukraine confirmed another prisoner exchange took place earlier today under a deal brokered in Istanbul, Turkey.
However, no progress has been reported on restarting formal peace talks.