Ukraine’s calls for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky are premature, as the two sides have yet to make progress on major points of disagreement, the Kremlin said on Thursday following the latest round of peace talks.

The negotiations, held in Istanbul the day before, lasted less than an hour. Both sides agreed on several humanitarian issues, including the exchange of prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and the repatriation of soldiers’ remains.

Russia has also proposed short-term ceasefires lasting 24 to 48 hours to facilitate the evacuation of wounded personnel and the recovery of bodies. In addition, Moscow has suggested the creation of three online working groups focused on political, humanitarian, and military issues.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that while “no breakthrough was expected,” the humanitarian agreements reached during the meeting were a positive step. He described the continuation of such exchanges as “an extremely important humanitarian aspect which should be on the agenda.”

He added that Russia had presented a “constructive, concrete” agenda that was “aimed specifically at substantive work that can lead to the achievement of concrete results.”

However, Peskov criticized Kiev’s calls for an immediate summit between Putin and Zelensky, arguing that such a meeting should only happen after meaningful progress has been achieved at the working level. 

“They are trying to put the cart before the horse. Work needs to be done, and only then can the heads of state be given the opportunity to record the achievements that have been made,” he said.

The Kremlin spokesman also referred to the conclusion by Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, that the two sides continue to hold “diametrically opposed” positions on key issues, as reflected in the draft memoranda they exchanged earlier in the negotiation process.

Despite the stalemate on broader political questions, Moscow has expressed hope that a fourth round of talks could take place in the future.

https://www.rt.com/russia/621950-kremlin-ukraine-putin-zelensky-summit/