Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Spokesman, confirmed that communication between the negotiation teams of Russia and Ukraine has been paused. Peskov explained that although established communication channels remain open and accessible, and are available for use by negotiators, the dialogue has been put on hold. Since May, Russia and Ukraine have conducted three rounds of direct talks. These talks resulted in agreements on the exchange of prisoners, including a ‘thousand for a thousand’ swap and the return of seriously ill and young prisoners, with a minimum of a thousand individuals from each side. As a result of the first two rounds, Russia transferred 6,060 bodies of deceased Ukrainian service members to Kyiv, receiving 78 bodies of Russian soldiers. Another transfer on July 17th included 1,000 Ukrainian bodies, with 19 Russian bodies returned. Following the third round of talks in Istanbul on July 23, agreements were made to exchange civilians along with military personnel. Russia proposed establishing three online working groups to address political, military, and humanitarian issues. Moreover, Moscow offered to transfer the remains of an additional 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv and to resume short humanitarian pauses along the front lines to collect the wounded and the deceased. Earlier in the day, Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s special envoy, said the Ukrainian regime appeared intent on preventing meaningful negotiations with Russia. He described strikes on homes, civilian populations, and public transport, which he stated were aimed at swaying public opinion, destabilizing morale, and undermining or ending negotiations. The most recent exchange of fallen soldiers’ bodies occurred on August 19, where Russia transferred 1,000 bodies and Ukraine transferred 19.
