No New Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Scheduled, Kremlin Confirms

Tone & Political Bias: Center-leaning

Why: The reporting presents factual information without evident partisan bias, focusing on official statements and developments from multiple parties involved.

Current Status of Peace Negotiations

As of May 22, 2025, the Kremlin has stated that no new direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled. This announcement follows a recent meeting in Istanbul, which was the first face-to-face engagement between the two countries' delegations since 2022.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that ceasefire negotiations would commence "immediately," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that "there is no concrete agreement about the next meetings" and that they are "yet to be agreed upon."

Outcomes of the Istanbul Meeting

During the Istanbul talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a significant prisoner exchange, with each side set to release 1,000 prisoners of war. This exchange is considered the largest of its kind between the two nations. However, aside from this agreement, the meeting did not yield substantial progress toward a broader peace settlement.

Divergent Positions on Ceasefire Proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. Conversely, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire, linking any potential agreement to Ukraine halting its mobilization efforts and the cessation of Western arms shipments to Kyiv. Putin has suggested working on a "memorandum" outlining a framework for a possible future peace treaty.

Ongoing Military Activities

Despite diplomatic discussions, hostilities continue along the approximately 1,000-kilometer front line. Both sides have engaged in daily drone attacks. Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down 105 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 35 over the Moscow region.

These attacks led to significant flight delays across Moscow's airports and prompted some regions to disable mobile internet signals for safety reasons. Simultaneously, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 128 drones targeting various regions, causing damage to infrastructure and private properties.

International Diplomatic Efforts

President Trump's recent phone call with President Putin was described as positive, with Trump indicating that Russia is ready to negotiate a peace memorandum. However, the Kremlin has not confirmed any new meetings, and Peskov disputed reports suggesting that Putin believes Russia is winning the war and thus disinterested in further talks.

Additionally, discussions have taken place about potential venues for future negotiations, including the Vatican. However, no concrete plans have been established, and the Kremlin has denied reports of scheduled talks in Saudi Arabia.

Summary

While a significant prisoner exchange has been agreed upon, broader peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain uncertain. Diverging positions on ceasefire terms and ongoing military actions underscore the complexities of reaching a comprehensive settlement. International efforts continue to facilitate dialogue, but as of now, no new direct talks are scheduled.