Russia is prepared to begin a new round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, the Russian news agency TASS reported Wednesday.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexey Polishchuk blamed Ukraine for stalling negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, adding that Turkish officials have repeatedly called on Ukraine to come to the table but have been ignored.
The last round of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian diplomats took place in Istanbul on July 23. The short summer meeting did not result in a ceasefire, but both sides agreed to a substantial prisoner transfer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that the next meeting be held in Moscow, which Ukraine rejected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied accusations from Moscow that his government is responsible for the stalled peace process, arguing that Russia’s continued aggression and refusal to accept a temporary ceasefire have held up negotiations.
Rumblings of further talks in Istanbul come as the Ukraine-Russia war prepares to enter its fourth year with no end in sight. Since talks stalled, both sides have increased their attacks on targets far beyond the frontline, including major energy centers.
Ukraine has repeatedly called on its Western allies to provide Kyiv with long-range strike capabilities that would make its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure more effective. The U.S., which manufactures long-range Tomahawk missiles, has declined to provide Kyiv with the capabilities, citing a small stockpile.
