July 26 - Kremlin officials on Sunday said it is too early to comment on reports that the United States and Ukraine have been discussing a possible pause to aerial attacks as part of renewed efforts to end the war.
A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the reports are currently insufficiently substantiated and that Moscow needs more clarity before weighing in. He added that any Russian response to a fresh peace initiative would be determined by whether the terms align with Moscow's interests.
"We do not know how credible these reports are or where they come from. These are newspaper reports and nothing more. Therefore, it is premature to comment on them at this stage," Peskov said.
Peskov indicated that while some new approaches to negotiations may be floated over time, Moscow cannot yet evaluate their substance. He said officials have heard references to potential new formulas and that further information is required to judge them. "We still need to learn more about them," he added. "And, over time, some formulas or proposals will probably be put forward. What happens next will depend on how closely they correspond to our interests."
He also reiterated that Russia continues to keep lines of communication open with U.S. negotiators.
According to a Ukrainian source, Ukrainian and U.S. officials have discussed a plan for an air ceasefire to present to Russia. This proposal is described as part of a broader attempt to revive peace negotiations aimed at bringing an end to the conflict that began with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The source said Ukraine had previously approached President Vladimir Putin with ceasefire offers that were rejected. Some officials, the source added, believe that ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile strikes that are exerting pressure on Russia's economy could potentially influence Putin's position.
Russian officials have said they hope U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow when scheduling permits and that dialogue with Washington will continue.
U.S. efforts to broker a settlement have largely been stalled in recent months. Diplomatic focus has also been diverted by another regional conflict, which has drawn attention and resources away from mediation attempts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks this week with Witkoff and Kushner about the prospects for renewed talks with Russia, and he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.
As it stands, Moscow's position is one of caution: officials are not dismissing the possibility of new proposals but are insisting on more information before making any commitments. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels open but tangible progress not yet evident.