Kiev has yet to lift its ban on negotiations with Moscow, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has emphasized

Ukraine is failing to take the necessary steps to initiate direct negotiations with Russia, while Moscow remains ready to engage at any time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Vladimir Zelensky prohibited direct bilateral talks in October 2022 for as long as Russian President Vladimir Putin remans in office, asserting that the moratorium was necessary to "stop separatism" purportedly stemming from backchannel communications with Moscow not controlled by his administration.

"At the very least, Kiev needs to act, given its judicial ban" on talks, Peskov reminded journalists during a briefing on Monday.

Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia is prepared to commence negotiations with Ukraine "without any preconditions, aiming to pave the way for peace," the official added.

Indirect contacts between Kiev and Moscow have continued on some issues, such as prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers.

US President Donald Trump has criticized Zelensky for undermining his mediation efforts by publicly opposing ideas, reportedly included in a Washington-proposed peace plan. The two leaders had a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in the Vatican on Saturday.

"He told me that he needs more weapons, but he has been saying that for three years," Trump said, recounting the engagement. "I want them to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal."

While Moscow has questioned Zelensky's legitimacy since the conclusion of his presidential term last year, it does not view his removal from power as a goal in the conflict.

However, Russia has concerns that "if an agreement were signed with Zelensky today, people could come forward later in Ukraine and legally challenge," Peskov told the French media last week. Zelensky claims presidential powers, citing martial law that he first imposed in 2022.

(RT.com)