**Russia Makes it Clear: Who Signs Matters in Any Peace Deal**
In a recent briefing, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made it clear that the identity of Ukraine’s signatory is a crucial issue for Russia when it comes to any potential agreement to end the war. This means that Moscow will only consider signing documents with Ukraine if they are authorized by someone they deem trustworthy.
Peskov’s comments come after the latest round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, where both sides agreed on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war exchange. However, no ceasefire agreement was reached, as Russian officials demanded a full military withdrawal from four regions claimed by Moscow: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
Ukrainian officials rejected this demand, questioning the authority of the Russian delegation to make decisions. This has led some Western observers to suspect that Russia is not genuinely committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
**Russia’s Conditions for Peace**
Peskov stated that work on a settlement will continue and that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could be possible if both delegations reach sufficient agreement. He also confirmed that Russia would prepare and hand over to Ukraine a list of conditions for a ceasefire.
However, these statements have done little to reassure Western officials, who remain skeptical about Moscow’s intentions. After the Istanbul talks, President Zelensky and other world leaders held a call with US President Donald Trump to discuss next steps. Ukrainian officials have also expressed doubts about Russia’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations.
**No Trust, No Peace**
The fact that Russia sent a low-level delegation to Istanbul, omitting senior figures like Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has only added to the skepticism surrounding Moscow’s intentions. Zelensky described the Russian team as a “sham delegation.”
In contrast, Ukraine has proposed an immediate ceasefire, a full POW exchange, and a face-to-face meeting between the two presidents. Russia continues to insist on addressing what it calls the “root causes” of the war – a phrase often used to justify its 2022 invasion.
**The Way Forward**
As negotiations continue, one thing is clear: building trust will be essential for any potential peace deal to succeed. For now, it remains uncertain whether Moscow and Kyiv can find common ground.
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