Russia Rejects EU Troops in Ukraine | Zelenskyy Meeting Update
Kremlin Cools Hopes for Ukraine Peace, Dismisses European Peacekeepers
Moscow, August 27, 2025 – Hopes for a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict dimmed today as the Kremlin voiced strong opposition to key proposals aimed at forging a lasting peace. In a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea of European countries deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and downplayed the likelihood of an imminent summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Peskov’s remarks come as Ukraine seeks Western-backed security guarantees as part of any agreement with Russia, a move designed to prevent future aggression. However, Moscow continues to demand Kyiv cede more territory in eastern Ukraine, a sticking point that has stalled negotiations for months.”We view such discussions negatively,” Peskov stated, referring to the potential deployment of a European peacekeeping force. He reiterated Russia’s long-standing concern about NATO’s presence in Ukraine, framing it as a primary driver behind the conflict that began in February 2022.The Kremlin’s stance underscores the deep divisions that remain between the two sides, despite ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic solution. While Peskov acknowledged that the heads of the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams are “in touch,” he emphasized that no date has been set for future talks.
Furthermore,peskov poured cold water on the prospect of a near-term meeting between putin and Zelenskyy. “Any high-level or top-level contact must be well-prepared in order to be effective,” he told reporters, including AFP, suggesting that significant progress on key issues is needed before such a summit can take place.
The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine remains a central point of contention. Peskov described it as “one of the most significant topics” in settlement talks but declined to publicly discuss specifics,highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to peace in Ukraine appears increasingly challenging. The Kremlin’s latest statements suggest that a breakthrough is unlikely in the near future, leaving the conflict poised to continue.