Kremlin spokesman names conditions for direct Putin-Zelenskyy talks

He said this at a briefing on July 22, according to TASS.

"We hope [talks] will happen this week. As soon as we’re ready, we’ll announce the dates," Peskov said.

He added that both sides plan to discuss draft memoranda for a peace settlement.

"The topic of the talks is quite complicated: among other things, we’ll have to go over the same draft memoranda that were exchanged during the second round," Putin’s spokesman said.

At the same time, he said it was too early to talk about any real chances of reaching peace agreements.

"I wouldn’t speculate on the timing [of a settlement]. Too many factors are involved, and any predictions now would be wrong," Peskov said.

He repeated the Kremlin line that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has banned talks with Putin. According to Peskov, that decision still stands.

"We have a lot of groundwork to do before we can talk seriously about possible meetings at high or top levels," Putin’s spokesman said about direct talks between the leaders.

• Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a meeting with the Russian side in Turkey is scheduled for July 23. 
• Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation.