The spokespeople added that speeding up negotiations with Kiev depended on several factors, such as the position of the Ukrainian authorities and the continued effectiveness of Washington’s mediation efforts.

Russia and Ukraine resumed direct talks in Istanbul, Turkiye, on May 16, for the first time in over three years.

At that first meeting, the two parties agreed to a massive prisoner swap under the 1,000-for-1,000 formula, which was completed in three successive rounds from May 23 to 25.

At the second meeting held in Istanbul on June 2, Russia presented Ukraine specifications for a ceasefire with a view to a sustainable peace agreement and its willingness to hand over the bodies of 6,000 deceased Ukrainian soldiers.

On June 16, Moscow had already handed over Kiev some 6,060 bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, and received 78 bodies of deceased Russian soldiers in return. The countries also continue to swap prisoners of war.

On June 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that Moscow is ready to hold the third round of direct talks with Ukraine, at a location and date yet to be agreed upon.

Putin also said Russia is ready to hand over Ukraine nearly 3,000 more bodies of deceased combatants.

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