Kremlin Says Ukraine Peace Talks on ‘Deep Pause’
The New York Times reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow this week to push the Kremlin towards a peace deal.
Russian officials have declared that peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv are currently on a "deep pause" as Russian forces advance on the eastern front, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday. Speaking to reporters, Peskov emphasized that Russia is "pressing forward with the special military operation and our troops are making gains on the frontlines." This marked a shift from earlier this summer when Peskov had confirmed ongoing dialogue between Russia and U.S. negotiators.
The New York Times reported this week that CIA Director John Ratcliffe had visited Moscow, urging the Kremlin to engage in negotiations with Ukraine. Peskov's dismissive stance on diplomacy also follows a meeting between a senior Vatican diplomatic envoy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who called for a peace deal in Ukraine.
In his comments, Peskov claimed that the Russian military was "intentionally destroying the Kyiv regime's military and military-adjacent infrastructure." He highlighted the skill and intent of Russia's forces, one day after the chief of Russia's General Staff stated that troops were advancing closer to the city of Slovyansk in the Donetsk region.
President Vladimir Putin remains adamant that Ukraine must relinquish control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement, a demand Kyiv has consistently rejected. Peskov accused the Ukrainian side of knowing Russia's demands but refusing to discuss them peacefully. He stated, "The Ukrainian side knows our demands full well. They just don't want to discuss them peacefully."
Peskov's remarks come as Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable organization," effectively criminalizing its work and putting staff at risk of prosecution. The outlet has previously been labeled as a "foreign agent," actions the Kremlin accuses of attempts to silence independent journalism.
Peskov argued that these actions are in an attempt to discredit Russia's leadership decisions. He expressed that The Moscow Times remains committed to providing accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia and appealed for support, stating, "We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced."
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
