The Kremlin has appealed to international stakeholders, including the United States, to press Kyiv to resume direct peace negotiations with Moscow, saying a third round of talks is needed to build on earlier discussions held in Istanbul. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on 17 July that Russia and Ukraine remain in contact through presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, with Washington acting as mediator. Moscow, he said, is awaiting formal proposals from the Ukrainian side to fix a date for the next negotiating session, adding that “there is an understanding that a third round will take place.” According to Peskov, the timetable for new talks hinges on completing humanitarian steps agreed in the second round, notably the ongoing exchange of the bodies of fallen soldiers. Once those exchanges are finished, the sides are expected to revisit draft memorandums already circulated and set the agenda for the forthcoming round.