Kremlin preparing contacts with US over revised Ukraine peace terms

The Kremlin has announced it is preparing direct contacts with the United States to discuss a revised peace plan for Ukraine, marking a potential next step in diplomatic efforts to end the war. The announcement follows two weeks of intense negotiations in European capitals involving Ukrainian, American, and European officials.

Assessing Kyiv's influence on the revised plan

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a radio interview on Thursday, described the recent period as "very busy" with diplomatic activity. He stated that Moscow wants "to understand how much" the Ukrainian side has influenced a revised set of key points that originated from the August Alaska summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and subsequent talks. "Let's see what happened to this set of talking points... To understand how much it has changed, we are currently preparing the relevant contacts with the Americans," Peskov said. This indicates Russia's intent to gauge Washington's stance before potentially engaging more deeply.

Concurrent talks and reported progress

The Russian move coincides with continued Ukraine-US diplomacy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a new round of talks with American officials is scheduled for Friday and Saturday in the United States, with a Kyiv delegation already en route. This week, President Trump expressed significant optimism, stating the sides are "closer now than we have been ever" to a settlement. A US official briefed that roughly 90% of issues have been resolved, though critical matters remain. Proposed security guarantees for Ukraine reportedly include "Article 5-like" assurances, akin to NATO's collective defense pledge, which Trump is willing to submit to the US Senate.

The European framework and Türkiye's role

The diplomatic push builds upon a joint statement by European leaders on Monday outlining potential security guarantees, including an 800,000-strong Ukrainian army, a multinational support force, and a US-led ceasefire monitoring system. As these complex negotiations between major powers advance, the role of regional mediators remains crucial. Nations like Türkiye, which has maintained open channels with both Moscow and Kyiv and previously brokered the Black Sea grain deal, continue to advocate for a sustainable peace that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty and long-term security, emphasizing the importance of inclusive diplomatic frameworks.