Elena Teslova
17 May 2025•Update: 18 May 2025
MOSCOW
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that for Russia a key issue in ongoing negotiations with Ukraine is determining who will ultimately sign any potential agreements.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov confirmed that Russia is preparing a list of conditions for a ceasefire, which it will soon be handed over to the Ukrainian side.
"Indeed, (the Russian and Ukrainian delegations) agreed (at Friday’s meeting in Istanbul) to exchange lists of ceasefire conditions. Work is ongoing. The Russian side will prepare and deliver such a list, and it will be exchanged with Ukraine," he said.
Peskov declined to disclose any specific terms under discussion, emphasizing that negotiations are still in progress and must be conducted behind closed doors.
Asked about a possible meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, a request made by Kyiv, Peskov said such a meeting could happen if progress is achieved in the negotiations.
"We consider it possible, but only as a result of the delegations’ work and once agreements have been reached. At the same time, a fundamental issue for us is who exactly will sign these agreements on behalf of Ukraine," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's term ended on May 20, 2024, but the 2024 presidential election in Ukraine was canceled, citing martial law and general mobilization.
On Feb. 25, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed a resolution supporting the extension of Zelenskyy's powers after the first vote the day before failed.
Peskov also said that there had been no contact between Russia and the US following this week's Istanbul talks but promised to inform the public should a conversation between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump be scheduled.
Regarding the future of the peace talks, Peskov urged all sides to focus on implementing the agreements already reached, emphasizing the importance of carrying out the first major step -- the mutual exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.
Responding to Zelenskyy's criticism of the Russian delegation, specifically his claim that its level was not high enough, Peskov said Moscow has no plans to change its negotiating team, noting that the talks is only just resuming.
After more than three years of suspended dialogue, Russia and Ukraine resumed direct peace talks in Istanbul on Friday.
The discussions resulted in the agreement to conduct the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the conflict and to begin exchanging proposals for how a potential truce could be structured and implemented.
