Kremlin: Resuming Negotiations Does Not Halt Military Operations; Secrecy of Discussions Essential

The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that reaching agreements regarding the resumption of trilateral negotiations (between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States) does not impose restrictions on continuing military operations. It stressed that discussing details of a possible settlement, especially concerning the issue of territorial concessions, "will not be public," expecting the parties to face "difficult and detailed discussions."

In the first indication of expected field implications following the parties' agreement last weekend to hold new negotiation rounds on the Ukrainian settlement, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that resuming negotiations did not place any restrictions on completing military operations, preempting any potential talk of temporary truces to ensure the success of negotiation rounds. At the same time, he renewed the Kremlin's approval of the limited humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky (Kherson), which was reached after mediation by US President Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense warned that Ukrainian forces are trying to obstruct the implementation of the agreement and prevent the evacuation of residents from the town, which has been besieged for months.

Peskov stressed that the decision to resume trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine does not mean any restrictions on military action.

Russian President Vladimir Putin informed US special envoy Steve Witkoff of Russia's readiness to resume trilateral talks on Ukraine in mid-November next month.

Delegations from the three countries are expected to hold a new negotiation session in Abu Dhabi after all parties agreed to resume dialogue suspended since February last year. However, Peskov confirmed in a press briefing that these agreements did not include imposing any restrictions on continuing military operations on the fronts, signaling Moscow's firm stance against proposals for declaring a temporary truce to support ongoing efforts.

Peskov addressed the political aspect of potential discussions in response to statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend, in which he said his country rejects any recognition of Russian sovereignty over areas in Ukraine, reiterating his refusal to make territorial concessions to end the fighting. At the same time, he expressed willingness to discuss the border issue with the Russian leadership. The Russian spokesman said, "The border issue may be raised for discussion within the framework of the Ukrainian settlement process," adding that the parties "face serious and detailed discussions ahead," but stressed that "any talk about the border issue must take place away from publicity." He added that "public discussion of details of the Ukrainian settlement could harm the potential peace process."

Peskov was asked whether the Kremlin views Zelenskyy's statement about his willingness to discuss the land issue with Moscow as an indication of Kyiv's readiness to make real border concessions, and whether such a discussion could take place in the near future. He replied that all these issues, in one way or another, form topics for discussion during attempts to reach a peaceful solution. A very serious and difficult discussion is anticipated, involving a large amount of detail.