Kremlin Blames Kyiv for Stalled Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Offensives

Kremlin Accuses Kyiv of Halting Diplomacy

On Monday, November 10, 2025, the Kremlin announced its desire for a swift conclusion to the conflict in Ukraine, yet simultaneously placed blame on Kyiv for the stalled peace negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while Russia prefers to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means, the peace process is currently 'stalled' and 'not through our fault,' attributing the impasse to Ukraine's unwillingness to continue discussions.

Peskov reiterated Moscow's long-standing position that the war can only end once Russia achieves its objectives. These objectives include Ukraine withdrawing from the four regions Russia illegally annexed in September 2022—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—renouncing its bid to join NATO, and accepting strict limits on its armed forces. The Kremlin also insisted that any potential peace summit must take place in Moscow, a condition that Kyiv has consistently rejected.

Kyiv Rejects Accusations, Cites Russian Aggression

Ukraine and its European allies have firmly rejected Moscow's accusations of obstructing peace efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly expressed skepticism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's sincerity in pursuing peace. Kyiv's conditions for peace include a full ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory, the restoration of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders (including Crimea), comprehensive security guarantees, compensation for damages, continued international sanctions against Russia, and the return of all prisoners of war and deported Ukrainian children.

Ukrainian officials argue that Moscow's continued military aggression, rather than Kyiv's stance, is the primary reason for the diplomatic deadlock.

Negotiations Remain Frozen Amid Failed Mediation Efforts

Face-to-face peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have been frozen since July 2023. Recent attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy have not yielded results, largely due to the Kremlin's insistence on Moscow as the venue, which Zelenskyy has refused. While communication channels between the two sides exist, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov described the dialogue as being in a 'pause.'

Past negotiation rounds, such as those held in Istanbul between May and July 2025, made little progress on core issues, though they did facilitate prisoner exchanges.

Intensified Military Offensives Continue

The Kremlin's statements come as the war approaches its fourth year, with Russia maintaining control over approximately 19% of Ukrainian territory. Despite calls for diplomacy, Russian forces continue active military offensives. The cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk are currently key targets.

Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, has become a significant focal point, with an estimated 170,000 Russian troops concentrated in the area, making it the Kremlin's top military objective through the end of the year. While the pace of fighting in Pokrovsk has reportedly slowed, Russian forces have not abandoned their goal of capturing the city and continue to advance in its eastern and southern sectors. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to conduct drone attacks on Russian infrastructure and military targets.