Foreign Ministry to represent Russia at April 10 US talks in Istanbul: Kremlin
This photograph taken on February 13, 2025 shows the view of the Kremlin's towers with Moscow's International Business Centre (Moskva City) in the background in Moscow. (AFP Photo)
Russia will be represented at the foreign ministry level in the upcoming Russia-U.S. Istanbul talks scheduled for April 10, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Tuesday in a briefing with journalists in Moscow.
Peskov said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead the delegation and will provide additional details about the meeting in due course.
Arms control dialogue dependent on US-Russia relations
Responding to questions about the possibility of reviving the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Peskov stated that it would be premature to discuss strategic stability talks under current conditions.
“Such negotiations require a certain level of bilateral relations and mutual trust,” Peskov said, adding that an improvement in overall U.S.-Russia ties is necessary before resuming dialogue on nuclear arms control.
He also noted that future arms control discussions should take into account nuclear arsenals beyond those of the U.S. and Russia.
No progress with Japan on peace treaty talks
Peskov addressed the potential for renewed peace treaty discussions with Japan, stating that no engagement is currently taking place between the two governments.
Citing Japan’s participation in sanctions against Russia, Peskov said the Kremlin sees no basis to initiate talks, adding that there is no interaction at this time with Japanese authorities.
Russia welcomes upcoming US-Iran nuclear talks
Regarding planned nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. in Oman on April 12, Peskov said Moscow views the development positively and supports diplomatic efforts to address the Iranian nuclear issue.
Russia silent on Zelenskyy’s Belgorod claims
Peskov declined to comment on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent acknowledgment that Ukrainian forces are operating in Russia’s Belgorod region.
He said information related to Russian military operations remains confidential and will not be disclosed publicly.
Zelenskyy stated on Monday that Ukrainian troops are active in both the Belgorod and Kursk regions, calling the operations “absolutely justified” as part of a broader strategy to return the war to Russian territory and relieve pressure on Ukraine’s northeastern border.
Cross-border clashes intensify as cease-fire wavers
The Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered cease-fire, which both Moscow and Kyiv have accused the other of violating.
In recent days, Russia has launched intensified drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, including an attack in Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the strikes as “horrible” and has threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil exports if no long-term cease-fire agreement is reached.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine’s actions in Russian border regions are intended to safeguard Ukrainian territories, such as Sumy and Kharkiv, from continued Russian assaults.
According to reports from Ukrainian sources and military bloggers, Ukrainian forces currently control a small area in Belgorod near the border with Demidovka and have used cross-border pressure to ease fighting in regions like Donetsk.
