Overview
- Russian diplomats said they are ready to restart direct negotiations in Istanbul and asserted that the next move is up to Kyiv.
- Moscow emphasized it had proposed three online working groups during earlier contacts and said it has not received a positive response.
- Ukrainian officials have not agreed to new talks and continue to require a withdrawal of Russian forces before meaningful negotiations.
- Ukrainian analysts and officials described Moscow’s statements as coercive rather than a genuine shift toward compromise.
- No direct talks have occurred since a 40-minute session on July 23 in Istanbul, and Turkish interlocutors have signaled the venue remains available.