Kremlin announces agreement with Zelensky to expedite peace negotiations with Ukraine

The Kremlin announced yesterday, Friday, July 18, an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to expedite the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, in a move reflecting both parties' efforts to revive dialogue despite the ongoing tensions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a statement: "We agree with Zelensky on the importance of giving more momentum to the negotiation process," noting the continued implementation of agreements reached in the second round of negotiations held in Istanbul last June.

These statements come as the European Union announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, including a reduction in the price of Russian oil for export, in an attempt to escalate economic pressure on Moscow due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Nevertheless, the Kremlin described these sanctions as "illegal," indicating that they will not significantly impact the Russian economy, but may have counterproductive effects on the countries imposing them.

Peskov said: "We will analyze the new package to minimize its impact, but sanctions increase the harm on the countries applying them."

For his part, Zelensky confirmed through his account on the "X" platform that negotiations need more momentum to achieve tangible results, referring to agreements implemented regarding the exchange of bodies and prisoners during previous rounds, but noting the absence of a third round so far.

It is worth mentioning that the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, held on June 2, 2025, resulted in important agreements, including the delivery of the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and the exchange of injured soldiers and prisoners under the age of 25, raising hopes for a new chapter in the talks.

Amid these developments, the Ukrainian file remains a focus of international attention, amidst ongoing disputes and political and economic pressures, with repeated calls to expedite dialogue and find peaceful solutions.