Kremlin comments on potential peace talks with Ukraine

The Kremlin has addressed the possibility of peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, confirming it remains open to dialogue while maintaining that no concrete plans for high-level meetings currently exist. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on September 21 and 23, 2026, that although Moscow does not rule out direct talks with Kyiv—potentially involving American participation—there is no immediate timeline or venue established. Peskov emphasized that the stance on a personal meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains unchanged, noting that Zelenskyy would receive security guarantees if he were to travel to Moscow for discussions based on terms previously outlined by the Kremlin.

Contradictory views on the logistics of these talks persist, as Ukrainian authorities have rejected the prospect of meeting in Moscow, instead advocating for discussions in a neutral country. These developments occur amid a period of intensified conflict, with both sides conducting severe strikes against infrastructure. Ahead of a planned meeting in New York between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Moscow maintains that there are currently no grounds for immediate peace talks, signaling that the situation remains deadlocked despite diplomatic signaling.