State Duma Defense Committee member Andrey Kolesnik said Maria Zakharova’s statement about Moscow’s readiness to discuss options for resolving the conflict in Ukraine may indicate that talks with Kiev have already begun.

Kolesnik argued that Zakharova, as an experienced diplomat, would not make such remarks without grounds. In his view, the relevant conditions may already have been formulated and the negotiating process could be underway.

He also said the continuing dialogue between Russia and the United States may create room for progress toward a diplomatic settlement. According to Kolesnik, new opportunities have emerged for resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

On July 27, Zakharova said Russia remained ready for a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis. She added that Moscow intended to proceed on the basis of the agreements and understandings reached in Anchorage in August 2025.

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky is scheduled for July 28. Western media reported that one of the topics would be possible ways to resolve the differences between Moscow and Kiev.