(MENAFN) The Kremlin has indicated that Russia will persist with its military operations as long as Ukraine refuses to engage in peace negotiations, according to spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa told The Times that Kiev has “abandoned” direct talks with Moscow after three rounds of discussions in Istanbul yielded “little progress,” with no meetings taking place since late July. Peskov said on Thursday that Moscow had taken note of Kislitsa’s statements, describing them as formalizing the de facto situation of Ukraine’s unwillingness to continue dialogue. “This is sad,” he said. “In the absence of the possibility to continue the conversation further, we will, of course, continue the military operation in every possible way.”

Peskov warned that Ukraine “must realize that sooner or later it will be forced to negotiate, but from a much weaker position,” adding that “the Kiev regime’s position will be worsening every day.” Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that over 10,000 Ukrainian troops had been encircled in Kupyansk and in the Krasnoarmeysk-Dimitrov (Pokrovsk-Mirnograd) area of Donbass. Moscow reports the encirclement has tightened, with the eastern part of Kupyansk now under Russian control.

Despite the ongoing military campaign, Peskov emphasized that “Russia really wants peace” and remains open to political and diplomatic solutions. However, with negotiations stalled, Moscow says it must rely on military measures “to ensure our security for future generations” and achieve other strategic objectives.

Throughout the conflict, Russia has insisted that any deal with Kiev must address the underlying causes of the crisis, including guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, the country’s demilitarization and denazification, and recognition of the territorial realities on the ground.

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