MOSCOW - The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that no telephone call is planned between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov said that American intermediaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner remain in contact with officials in both Russia and Ukraine. The pair had been engaged in mediation efforts between Moscow and Kyiv that, Peskov said, "are currently on hold." He reiterated that discussions are continuing through existing channels with both sides.
"The mediation process on Ukraine is currently on hold. That said, U.S. negotiators are maintaining contacts - discussions are continuing with us through existing channels and with the Ukrainians. There is no exact date for their visit yet, but we would be delighted to welcome them in Russia at any time," Peskov said.
Peskov linked the pause in the mediation effort to a breakdown in February, which followed military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, saying those events led to the halt in mediation activity. He described the current status as a suspension rather than an end to contact, emphasizing ongoing exchanges through established lines.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had a "positive" discussion with Witkoff and Kushner and praised their readiness to work toward a settlement of the Ukraine war in the coming weeks. Peskov said the Kremlin had not been informed about that conversation by U.S. officials.
When asked about the possibility of European mediation, Peskov said Russia now considers such involvement "unacceptable." He criticized mediation attempts that would impose conditions on Russia, saying, "First of all, starting mediation efforts by putting forward certain conditions to Russia is likely illogical and wrong... 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 talks," he said.
Context and implications
While Peskov confirmed ongoing communications by U.S. intermediaries, he stressed the unclear timetable for any formal visit to Moscow and rejected immediate European mediation. The Kremlin described the situation as a temporary suspension of mediation rather than a closed process.
What remains uncertain
- No date has been set for a potential visit by U.S. negotiators to Russia.
- The Kremlin says it was not informed about the recent call between the U.S. intermediaries and the Ukrainian president.
- Russia currently deems European mediation "unacceptable," according to the Kremlin spokesman.