Moscow is urging the Ukrainian government to lift its ban on direct negotiations

Russia values US mediation in the Ukraine conflict and hopes for its success, but it cannot sign a peace deal with Washington as a stand-in for Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated. Moscow is therefore urging the Ukrainian government to lift its ban on direct negotiations.

US President Donald Trump's administration is advocating a compromise resolution to the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, warning that a lack of progress could lead to a US withdrawal from the peace process. On Wednesday, Peskov reiterated that Ukraine's willingness to make concessions is crucial to a favorable outcome.

"A peace deal should be done with the Ukraine, not with America," he remarked in English during a press briefing, answering a question from a foreign journalist.

He reminded the media that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to direct discussions with Ukraine, adding, "Unfortunately, we haven't heard any statements in this context from Kiev, so we don't know whether Kiev is ready or not."

Previously, Moscow urged Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky to rescind his 2022 order banning direct negotiations with Russia as long as Putin remains in office.

Peskov expressed gratitude toward the Trump administration for its diplomatic efforts, and observed that while Washington's desire for a swift resolution is understandable, a peace deal is "too complicated to be achieved overnight."

Trump has previously criticized Zelensky for publicly opposing aspects of the US truce proposal, which were reported in the media. In an interview with ABC News this week, heclaimedthat Russia "would have taken all of Ukraine" if he had not been in office. Separately, US Vice President J.D. Vance hasarguedthat Kiev lacks a viable path to reverse its misfortunes on the battlefield against Russia.

Peskov stated that Russia prefers a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, having pursued that path before resorting to military action after its overtures were rebuffed.

(RT.com)