Kremlin grateful for Türkiye's willingness to facilitate Ukraine settlement

The Kremlin has thanked Türkiye for its continued willingness to facilitate a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, while acknowledging that no immediate progress is expected. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing on Thursday that Moscow is "grateful to the Turkish side" for its efforts, but cautioned that resolving such a complex conflict requires more than a simple agreement.

No Immediate Talks, but Openness Remains

Peskov stated that Russia sees no immediate prospects for resuming negotiations on the conflict, but reiterated that Moscow remains open to dialogue. His remarks came as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking in Kyiv on Thursday, called for the resumption of the Istanbul process, which had previously hosted peace talks in the summer of 2025. Peskov emphasised that many conflicts are too complex to be resolved through a single "deal" and require lengthy, comprehensive resolution processes.

Concerns Over Iran and Global Economy

The spokesman also expressed concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf, warning that ongoing destabilisation would have negative consequences for the global economy, which he described as "rather dire." He noted that Russia, like other nations, is monitoring the situation with apprehension. Peskov refrained from drawing direct parallels between the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, stating that each is unique.

Ukraine Government Changes Not a Priority

Commenting on Ukraine's recent Cabinet reshuffle, Peskov said changes in the Ukrainian government are not of fundamental importance to Russia. "What is important for us is to resolve the situation and ensure our own interests," he said. Ukraine's parliament on Thursday approved energy executive Serhii Koretskyi as the new prime minister, following a reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday.