Kremlin Says Ukraine Peace Talks on ‘Deep Pause’

Aug. 28, 2026 A fire in Sumy following a Russian attack on the night of August 28. Ukrainian State Emergency Service Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are on a “deep pause” as Russian troops press their offensive in eastern Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. “We’re pressing forward with the special military operation and our troops are making gains on the frontlines,” Peskov told reporters. “As for peace talks, that topic is currently on a deep pause,” he added. Peskov’s comments mark a departure from previous remarks this summer in which he confirmed that Russia was maintaining dialogue with U.S. negotiators. Earlier on Friday, the New York Times reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow this week with the aim of pushing the Kremlin to pursue a peace deal with Ukraine. Peskov’s public dismissal of diplomacy also comes on the back of a senior Vatican diplomatic envoy meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week to call for peace in Ukraine. In Friday’s comments, Peskov said the Russian military was “intentionally destroying the Kyiv regime’s military and military-adjacent infrastructure.” “Our forces know what they’re doing and how to do it,” he said, one day after the chief of Russia’s General Staff claimed Russian troops were inching closer to the heavily fortified Donetsk region city of Slovyansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to demand that Ukraine cede full control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement — a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. “The Ukrainian side knows our demands full well. They just don’t want to discuss them peacefully,” Peskov said. Read more about: Peskov , Kremlin , Ukraine war Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Will a Second Trump Presidency Reshape U.S.-Russia Ties? Experts Weigh In While the president-elect's fondness for Putin could have a positive impact on bilateral ties, a full “reset” in relations is unlikely, analysts say... 4 Min read Zelensky Categorically Denies Ukrainian Involvement in Kremlin Drone Attack The denial followed Russian claims that Ukrainian drones attempted to strike Vladimir Putin's Kremlin apartment. 3 Min read Peskov Son’s Alleged Wagner Deployment Risks Backfiring for Kremlin Efforts to present the children of Russia’s elite as equal participants in the war against Ukraine have sparked more questions than answers. 5 Min read ‘Door Not Shut’ to Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks – Kremlin A day earlier, Russia's foreign minister said such talks “make no sense.”