Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said on July 26 that it was 'premature' for Moscow to respond to news that Ukraine and the U.S. are working on new peace proposals, including a potential pause in air attacks. Peskov dismissed the claims as 'newspaper reports and nothing more,' and said the Russian government needs more information before making any judgment. He emphasized that until they understand the details, it is too early to comment.
The remarks came after Kyiv Independent reported on July 24 that Washington and Kyiv had begun preparing an updated plan for peace, which could include an aerial ceasefire. Peskov added that the Kremlin wants to know if such proposals align with Russian interests before making any statements. 'We still need to learn more about them,' he said. Peskov further noted that until Russia has all the facts, it would not be appropriate to make public comments.
On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had already communicated its ceasefire ideas directly to Russian leadership. The president also confirmed Ukraine’s commitment to deep strikes into Russia, including a revised list of targets meant to pressure Moscow into resuming negotiations. Zelensky added that all of Ukraine's partners are aware of the necessary steps to be taken for peace.
U.S.
According to sources, U.S. and Ukrainian officials believe Ukraine’s success in long-range strikes has created new opportunities for diplomacy. One U.S. official said the White House thinks Russia may now be more open to a partial ceasefire in the air as Kyiv expands its campaign. envoys involved in trilateral talks. He and U.S. President Donald Trump are preparing for a meeting, possibly during the funeral of former Senator Lindsey Graham.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila and said 'new ideas' are needed to reach a peace deal. He argued that past suggestions, such as Ukraine ceding occupied territory, were unacceptable and are likely even less viable now. Both sides, however, have increased their use of long-range strikes in the war, with Russia launching mass missile and drone attacks and Ukraine targeting oil infrastructure and logistics in Russia. This escalation has created new dynamics in the conflict.
Ukraine’s strikes have triggered a major fuel crisis in Russia and hit prominent sites like the Moscow Oil Refinery and Wildberries, an e-commerce giant. Russia has in turn carried out relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities, especially using high-speed ballistic missiles to overwhelm Kyiv's defenses. These attacks have caused significant damage and have placed immense pressure on Ukraine's strained air defense systems. The war continues to evolve as both sides seek leverage in the negotiations.
Despite the ongoing military actions, diplomacy remains a key element in the conflict. With the potential for a partial aerial ceasefire, there is hope that a breakthrough in peace talks could be possible. However, Russia's maximalist demands continue to complicate these efforts. As both sides evaluate their strategies, the focus remains on finding a path to peace that aligns with their respective goals.
The recent discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials suggest that a renewed diplomatic push might be on the horizon. With the increasing intensity of long-range attacks and the shifting balance of power, both countries may find themselves more open to negotiations. However, until Russia clarifies its position on the new proposals, the future of these talks remains uncertain.