US mediation role in Russia-Ukraine negotiations on hold: Kremlin

US mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war are currently on hold, although American negotiators continue to maintain contacts with both Moscow and Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“The mediation process on Ukraine is currently on hold. That said, US negotiators are maintaining contacts,” Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

According to the Kremlin spokesman, discussions between Russia and the United States remain ongoing through existing communication channels, alongside contacts involving the Ukrainian side.

Peskov also said there are currently no plans for a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Commenting on a potential visit to Moscow by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Peskov said no date has yet been set.

His remarks came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described a conversation with Witkoff and Kushner as “positive,” praising what he called their willingness to work toward a settlement of the conflict in the coming weeks.

Peskov added that the Kremlin had not been informed of any contacts between the American representatives and the Ukrainian side.

Addressing the possibility of European involvement in mediation efforts, the Kremlin spokesman said Russia currently considers such a role "unacceptable."

“First of all, starting mediation efforts by putting forward certain conditions to Russia is likely illogical and wrong,” Peskov said.

“But the main thing is that, as far as we can see, the Europeans are far more inclined to focus on continuing the war rather than on peace negotiations.”

‘Enough bloodshed’: In open letter to Putin, Zelensky calls for meeting and ceasefire

Zelensky has published an open letter to Putin, urging a face-to-face meeting and a full ceasefire to finally end the war.

Separately, Putin said on Friday that he saw little reason to hold a personal meeting with Zelensky before negotiators reached concrete agreements.

“I see no point in meeting. It only makes sense for the Ukrainian side to stop the advance of our armed forces. That is it. And we need agreements,” Putin said at Russia’s flagship economic forum in St. Petersburg.

“Let the experts work, develop solutions, and then we can meet and discuss the proposed outcomes,” he added.

Putin’s remarks came a day after Zelensky published an open letter proposing a direct meeting in a third country to discuss possible pathways towards what he described as “a lasting peace.”

According to Moscow, Putin’s position is consistent with Russia’s longstanding objectives since the launch of its military operation in 2022, including protecting the people of Donbas and ensuring Ukraine’s neutrality and demilitarization.

Zelensky’s appeal also underscored the mounting costs of the war and a growing recognition in Kiev that time is not on Ukraine’s side.

Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in 2022 following years of Western interference in Ukraine’s economic, military and political affairs.

After Ukraine’s western-supported actions in Donbas and other border regions resulted in instability along the Russian border, Russia was forced to take action to protect its military and political interests.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir