Kremlin Calls for Peace Talks Resumption — Peskov: 'We Expect US Colleagues to Continue Mediation'; Ukraine Claims Stepnohirsk

On May 18, 2026, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: 'We expect that the peace process will be resumed after all. And we expect our American colleagues to continue their peacemaking and mediation efforts in this regard.' This marked a notable diplomatic signal from Moscow — a shift from Foreign Minister Lavrov's April 18 statement that negotiations were 'not Russia's top priority.' Simultaneously on the frontline, Ukrainian Military Intelligence claimed full control of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast — a tactically significant claim given Russia's sustained push toward the provincial capital. Ukrainian forces also repelled 5 Russian assaults in the Kursk/North Slobozhansky (Sumy) direction. Fighting continued near Antonivka in Kherson direction. Peace negotiations remain paused; the last trilateral US–Ukraine–Russia meeting was February 16, 2026. Both sides maintain fundamentally incompatible positions: Ukraine seeks a ceasefire based on the current frontline; Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal from all four annexed oblasts. Zelensky anticipates US envoys may visit 'late spring or early summer' to attempt revival of talks.