Kremlin says territorial questions could be discussed in Ukraine settlement talks, and that the decision to resume talks does not limit military operations

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday 26 October that territorial questions may become a subject of discussion in efforts to reach a peace settlement in Ukraine, but that Moscow would not set out details in public, TASS and Kommersant reported.

“All these issues may, in one way or another, become a subject of discussion during efforts to reach a peace settlement,” Peskov told reporters at his daily briefing, according to TASS. “A very serious discussion lies ahead, one that involves a vast number of details. We would prefer not to discuss these details in public, as we believe it would undermine a potential future peace process.” He was responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that territorial questions must be addressed at leaders’ level, URA.RU reported.

Talks and strikes

Asked about a Ukrainian drone attack on Voronezh overnight, Peskov said the decision to resume three-way talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine “does not imply any restrictions on combat operations”, and that Russian forces were continuing strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial sites and military targets, TASS reported. Russian, Ukrainian and US officials have said technical-level talks are planned for November, with Abu Dhabi under discussion as the venue.

Peskov said Russia hoped Ukraine would fulfil the agreements on a humanitarian operation in the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky (Aleshki) in Kherson region, which he said were reached with the involvement of US negotiators representing First Lady Melania Trump. He said such an arrangement could serve as a precedent “for humanitarian purposes”, RIA Novosti reported.

Serbia and Brazil

On Serbia’s parliamentary election, Peskov said Moscow noted the results and valued Aleksandar Vučić’s contribution to relations with Russia. He said Moscow would continue to work to develop ties with Belgrade, but that “it takes two to tango”, URA.RU reported. He also welcomed Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory in Brazil’s presidential runoff.

See also: Kremlin says an EU negotiator on Ukraine would be ‘good’ if sincere and White House says Melania Trump secured a local ceasefire in Oleshky.