Russia is expecting a signal from Ukraine that it is ready to resume direct talks to stop the war, but so far it sees no signs of progress on this issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
„We expect it from Kiev. In any case, Kiev should take some action in this direction. After all, there is a legal ban on this. "However, we do not see any action so far," Peskov replied to a question from journalists whether Russia was waiting for a signal on this issue from Washington or directly from Kiev.
The Kremlin said last month that the possibility of direct negotiations between the two countries was discussed during a three-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Moscow and Kiev have not held direct talks since March 2022 - in the first weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Later that year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky passed a decree that ruled out negotiations with Putin after Russia announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Zelensky, who met with US President Donald Trump while the two were in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, said that Kiev would be ready for talks with Moscow as soon as a ceasefire came into effect and the fighting stopped.
Peskov also commented on Trump's recent calls for a halt to Russian strikes on Ukrainian targets, TASS notes.
„There was a similar statement (by Trump - TASS note). However, the special military operation continues. "Our president has repeatedly confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to sit at the negotiating table with Ukraine without preconditions in order to direct the processes towards a peaceful settlement," the spokesman said.
According to him, the United States is also continuing its efforts to direct the "processes towards a peaceful settlement."