Russia Open to Ukraine Talks Without Preconditions, Peskov Says
Quick Look
Russia remains open to negotiations on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine but currently has no preconditions for such talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, ahead of Putin's scheduled meeting with Erdogan at the SCO summit in Bishkek on September 1.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Russia has been involved in the conflict in Ukraine since 2022, with various diplomatic efforts attempted, including talks in Istanbul, though no lasting settlement has been reached.
MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia is open to negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement but there are no preconditions for that, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
"We remain open to such talks [on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine]. As of now, however, we cannot, unfortunately, say that there are conditions [for their continuation]. They simply do not exist so far," he told reporters, when asked whether the issue of continuing the work of negotiating groups on Ukraine in Istanbul could be discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Putin’s meeting with Erdogan is scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek on September 1.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Putin and Erdogan will discuss the continuation of Ukraine negotiating groups during their meeting at the SCO summit
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific topics would be discussed in the proposed negotiations?
- What is Turkey's role as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
- Whether any progress has been made in prior negotiating groups on Ukraine in Istanbul
