Putin Says Russia Ready to Wait on Peace Talks; Ukraine Calls for Direct Leadership Dialogue

The Big Picture

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to Valaam in the Republic of Karelia, made a sweeping series of remarks on the war in Ukraine, international diplomacy, and internal corruption in Kyiv. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Putin announced that the first serially-produced Oreshnik missile system has entered service and stated that Moscow is ready to wait on peace negotiations with Ukraine if Kyiv is not prepared to engage.

What Putin Said

Putin emphasized that Russia remains open to peace talks but believes Ukraine is harboring “unrealistic expectations.” He noted, “If the Ukrainian leadership believes that now is not the time, that we need to wait, well, we are ready to wait.” He further argued that Russia’s political system is legitimate and framed Ukraine’s as unstable and externally influenced.

Among his other key points, as summarized by TASS, were:

• Russia returned thousands of Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies in exchange for “several dozen” Russian troops.
• Corruption in Ukraine is “simply overwhelming” and cannot be solved through foreign intervention.
• The deployment of the new Oreshnik missile system will expand to Belarus by year-end.
• Russian forces are advancing “along the entire line of contact,” with the liberation of Chasov Yar confirmed.
• The European Union has “lost political sovereignty” and faces future economic costs.

Ukraine’s Response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the Russian statements with a diplomatic yet firm message on X. He acknowledged efforts by international partners—specifically U.S. President Donald Trump—to end the war and reiterated Ukraine’s openness to peace, provided Russia’s intent is genuine.

We see and support President Trump’s @POTUS efforts to end Russia’s war, to stop the killing, and to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. We are grateful to everyone around the world who supports peace efforts and helps us protect lives.

We have heard the statements coming out…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 1, 2025

He added that Ukraine supports proposals by the United States for direct leader-level talks and called on Russia to match that readiness: “We understand who makes the decisions in Russia and who must end this war. The whole world understands this too.”

What’s Next

The possibility of renewed diplomatic engagement remains uncertain. While Moscow signals patience, Kyiv demands meaningful dialogue with Russia’s top leadership. Observers note that both sides appear to be posturing for influence as international stakeholders increase pressure to de-escalate the conflict.

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