Kremlin Says Too Early to Comment on Reported U.S.-Ukraine Air Ceasefire Talks

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday it is too early to comment on media reports that the United States and Ukraine are discussing a possible halt to aerial attacks as part of efforts to end the war. According to the Interfax news agency, Peskov stated that these are just newspaper reports and nothing more, so it is premature to comment at this stage.

A Ukrainian source told Reuters that Ukrainian and U.S. officials have discussed a proposal for an air ceasefire to present to Russia in a bid to revive peace talks. The source said Ukraine had previously approached Russian President Vladimir Putin with ceasefire offers, which were rejected. However, some officials believe that pressure on Russia's economy from ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile strikes may soften Putin's stance.

Peskov said Russia's response to any new peace initiative would depend on whether it aligns with Moscow's interests. "We have heard statements that some new formulas may be possible. We still need to learn more about them," Peskov said. "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."

Peskov reiterated that Moscow maintains channels of dialogue with U.S. negotiators. Russian officials have expressed hope that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Moscow when their schedules allow and that dialogue with Washington will continue.

Efforts by the United States to broker a peace deal have largely stalled in recent months, while diplomatic attention has also been diverted by the Iran war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke this week with Witkoff and Kushner about prospects for renewed talks with Russia and is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.