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Kremlin says peace talks with Ukraine are on “pause”
The Kremlin declared on Friday that peace negotiations with Ukraine are currently on “pause,” while Kyiv accused Moscow of seeking to occupy the entire country. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, including joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises and the recent incursion of drones into Polish airspace.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said talks had not been abandoned but acknowledged that “it is more accurate to speak of a pause,” adding that immediate results from negotiations should not be expected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, warned that Vladimir Putin’s true objective is “to occupy all of Ukraine.” He called on Western allies to pressure China to use its influence on Moscow, and urged a direct meeting with the Russian leader — a proposal that the Kremlin has so far rejected.
The war, now in its fourth year, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory and demands that Kyiv cede five regions and renounce NATO membership. Ukraine refuses, instead requesting stronger Western support, including potential troop deployments.
The situation escalated this week when around 20 drones entered Polish airspace, forcing Warsaw and NATO allies to mobilize aircraft. Moscow denied responsibility, calling accusations unfounded, while NATO announced the strengthening of its eastern flank with contributions from several member states, including Denmark, France, the UK, and Germany.
Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus launched their large-scale Zapad-2025 military drills, taking place in Belarus, western Russia, and the Baltic and Barents seas. Although Moscow and Minsk insisted the maneuvers are defensive, neighboring NATO countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Latvia increased security measures, with Poland closing its border with Belarus. Up to 40,000 soldiers are expected to take part in the exercises.
At the UN headquarters in New York, Poland and over 40 allies denounced Russia’s actions as “reckless provocations,” describing them as a destabilizing escalation that risks dragging the region closer to a broader conflict.