No plans for a phone call between Putin and Trump

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that there are currently no plans to hold a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Donald Trump, adding that American envoys Steve Witkov and Jared Kushner are continuing contacts with both Russia and Ukraine.

Witkoff and Kushner previously participated in mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine, which stopped in February after the United States and Israel launched war on Iran.

Peskov added, “The mediation process regarding Ukraine is currently suspended. However, the two American negotiators continue contacts, and discussions continue with us through existing channels and with the Ukrainians. There is no specific date for their visit yet, but we will be happy to receive them in Russia at any time.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday, Monday, that he had a “positive” conversation with Witkov and Kushner, and praised what he described as their willingness to work to find a solution to the conflict in the coming weeks. Peskov added that the Kremlin was not notified of this call from the American side.

In response to a question about possible mediation efforts by Europe, Peskov said that Russia currently finds participation “unacceptable.” He continued, saying, “First of all, it is illogical and probably wrong to start mediation efforts by imposing certain conditions on Russia…but the main thing is that the Europeans, as we see, are much more inclined to focus on continuing the war rather than peace talks.”