Kremlin unexpectedly agrees with Zelenskyy on adding 'more dynamics' to talks

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to intensify negotiations with Russia, describing Zelenskyy’s words as a “positive signal” and saying Russia allegedly agrees.

Zelenskyy said Rustem Umerov, the new secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, will focus on “intensifying the negotiation track” with Russia.

“The implementation of the agreements from the second Istanbul meeting is underway. More dynamics are needed in this process,” Zelenskyy said.

On July 16, Peskov expressed hope that the United States would “put pressure on Ukraine” to bring Kyiv back to the negotiating table with Moscow.

On June 14, Vladimir Putin, during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue negotiations with Ukraine after June 22, according to Russian propaganda outlets.

Later, Peskov suggested that a new round of talks with the Ukrainian delegation could again take place in Istanbul.

The Financial Times, citing informed sources, reported that Trump told Zelenskyy during a phone call to “make the Russians feel the pain” to force the Kremlin to negotiate.

On July 14, Trump announced that the United States and NATO had agreed to supply weapons to Ukraine. He said the U.S. would produce “the best in the world” weapons and sell them to NATO, which would coordinate deliveries to Kyiv.

Trump added that Ukraine would receive billions of dollars in weapons and expressed being “very dissatisfied” with Russia. He also threatened 100% tariffs if a peace agreement with Ukraine was not reached within 50 days.

The American President said some countries possessing Patriot air defense systems might soon transfer them to Ukraine.