What Kremlin Is Saying

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the talks represented the first direct exchange of views between Moscow and the U.S. on the peace proposals. Peskov said that “some things were accepted, some things were marked as unacceptable,” stressing that this is the normal process of negotiation and compromise.

While no final agreement has been reached and Russian aides admitted that “compromises have not yet been found” Moscow indicated it’s ready to continue engagement at expert level, with further negotiations possible to find common ground.

Background: U.S. Peace Proposals & Previous Rejections

The U.S. had submitted a multi-point peace framework aimed at ending the war in Ukraine a plan that had stirred alarm and criticism in Kyiv and Brussels, because some components reportedly align with Russian demands. New versions of the plan have since been refined with input from the U.S. and Ukraine, but Moscow previously dismissed them en masse.

Earlier this week, President Putin accused European powers of sabotaging the U.S.-led peace efforts, calling their proposals “absolutely unacceptable” to Russia. Moscow also reiterated threats, including possible maritime blockades of Ukrainian ports comments that prompted skepticism from Kyiv and its Western supporters.

Wider Context Security & European Responses

In parallel, Europe is rethinking its security posture: Germany has become the first European country to deploy the advanced Arrow 3 missile defence system procured from Israel aiming to boost protections against long-range ballistic missile threats, including those perceived to come from Russia.

Berlin inaugurated the first battery of Arrow 3 at a base south of Berlin, marking a milestone in European defense efforts: the system adds a high altitude, exo atmospheric layer of protection previously unavailable to NATO’s central states.

What’s Next , What to Watch For

• Whether further rounds of U.S.–Russia negotiations produce a draft agreement acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine.
• Reactions from Kyiv and Western capitals: many remain skeptical that Russia will ever agree to terms seen as fair to Ukraine.
• Implementation of Arrow 3 across Germany and potential expansion of similar defense procurements across NATO changes that may reshape European security architecture.
• Possible diplomatic ripple effects, especially for states bordering the war zone, as defense postures adjust and peace proposals evolve.

On Tuesday, Darchiev confirmed that the decision to relocate the discussions to Moscow was “preliminary,” but signaled what he called “forward momentum” in efforts to ease tensions in bilateral relations.

“The main topic remains the same removing irritants in our diplomatic relations,” Darchiev said, noting that while full normalization remains distant, progress is still possible.

The ambassador pointed to powerful opposition forces within the U.S. as obstacles to better relations, including what he described as the “deep state” and “hawks in Congress” fueling anti-Russian sentiment.

The upcoming Moscow meeting follows two prior rounds of talks held in Istanbul on February 27 and April 10. Those consultations focused on restoring normal operations at the Russian and U.S. embassies and reducing barriers to diplomatic engagement.

Darchiev led the Russian delegation, while the U.S. side was represented by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

“Importantly, there is still forward momentum albeit entirely reversible,” Darchiev said, referring to the consensus reached in Istanbul to move future talks to national capitals.

No specific date has been announced, but both sides are expected to finalize the schedule soon.

These consultations come amid strained U.S.-Russia relations marked by continued tensions over Ukraine, sanctions, espionage claims, and restrictions on diplomatic staff.