Search & fact check with cited sources for What are the latest signals from Russia on new Ukraine peace proposals as of July 28, 2025, including the Kremlin's response to reports of an air ceasefire plan, its rejection of Kazakhstan's call for a conflict freeze under an "Istanbul

Here is a concise, sourced picture of the latest Russian signals on Ukraine peace proposals as of July 28, 2025.

Kremlin response to reported US-Ukraine air ceasefire plan

On July 26, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was premature to comment on reports that the US and Ukraine were discussing a possible halt to aerial attacks. "We do not know how credible these reports are or where they come from," he told reporters .

The next day, July 27, the Kremlin went further, stating it had "seen nothing tangible" regarding any new peace proposals ahead of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. Peskov acknowledged that information had emerged but said Moscow had received no specific details from any source .

Rejection of Kazakhstan's "Istanbul 2.0" conflict freeze proposal

On July 25, at the Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged Putin to freeze the conflict and resume negotiations under an "Istanbul 2.0" framework — a return to the draft peace parameters discussed in 2022 .

The Kremlin flatly rejected the proposal. Peskov stated that freezing the war is impossible and that Russia will continue its "special military operation" until its objectives are achieved, arguing there are no real prospects for peace talks on those terms . Russian press outlets reported the same day that the "conflict freeze impossible" line was the official position .

Context of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting on Tuesday, July 29

• The meeting: Trump and Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet Tuesday, July 29 at the White House in Washington. The White House confirmed the date on July 24 .
• Kremlin posture: Ahead of the meeting, Moscow is publicly downplaying expectations. Peskov said on July 27 that Russia has seen no concrete peace proposals, while also insisting Russia remains open to talks — but only on terms that achieve its own war aims .
• Broader backdrop: Russia has been sending mixed but predominantly hardline signals all month:
  • On July 20, Peskov said Russia is open to peace but insists on achieving its objectives .
  • On July 21, Russia said the two sides hold "diametrically" opposed positions .
  • On July 23, a round of talks yielded progress on POW swaps but no deal on a ceasefire .
  • On July 24, the Kremlin stated its military is seeking to create "buffer zones" inside Ukraine .

Summary

As of July 28, 2025, Moscow's signals are consistent: dismissive of the reported air ceasefire plan, outright rejection of a Kazakhstan-brokered conflict freeze, and a wait-and-see posture toward the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting — while publicly insisting it has seen no serious new proposal and will not compromise on its core war objectives.