Russia, Ukraine Begin Peace Talks with U.S. Support, No Fixed Deadline

Russia and Ukraine have initiated steps toward drafting a unified peace and ceasefire memorandum, but the process will be complex and without a set timeline, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

“There are no deadlines and there cannot be any,” Peskov told reporters, as quoted by Russia’s state news agency RIA. “Everyone wants to do this as quickly as possible, but the devil is in the details.”

The roadmap involves both Moscow and Kyiv drafting and exchanging documents, followed by “complex contacts” to form a unified text, Peskov said. The statement underscores the challenges ahead in ending the ongoing conflict, which has entered its third year.

The latest developments follow a high-level diplomatic push led by U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, Trump held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and leaders from the EU, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland in an effort to accelerate a ceasefire.

Following the calls, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to begin ceasefire negotiations immediately. President Putin confirmed Russia’s willingness to engage with Ukraine on a draft memorandum that could form the basis of a future peace agreement.

While hopes are rising for progress, the Kremlin's comments highlight that substantial work remains. Both sides must navigate sensitive political and territorial issues, making a swift resolution unlikely. However, the renewed diplomatic momentum and international involvement may provide the most promising opportunity in years to end the war.

The conflict, ongoing since 2022, has caused widespread devastation and strained global relations. A successful ceasefire agreement could reshape the geopolitical landscape and restore stability in the region.