Moscow urges caution over purported peace initiative as Peskov questions credibility of reports

The Kremlin has dismissed as premature reports suggesting that the United States and Ukraine are discussing a possible halt to aerial attacks as part of renewed efforts to end the war, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling the Interfax news agency that Moscow did not know how credible such claims were or where they originated. Speaking on Sunday, Peskov characterised the reports as nothing more than newspaper speculation and said it was too early to comment on them at this stage, while reiterating that Russia's response to any new peace initiative would depend on whether it aligned with Moscow's interests. A Ukrainian source had told Reuters that officials in Kyiv and Washington had discussed a proposal for an air ceasefire to present to Russia as part of a fresh push to revive peace talks aimed at ending the conflict triggered by Moscow's February 2022 invasion, with some officials believing that pressure on Russia's economy from ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile strikes might soften President Vladimir Putin's stance. However, Peskov indicated that Moscow remained open to dialogue, noting that the Kremlin had heard statements that new formulas might be possible but needed to learn more about them before reaching any conclusions, and that any proposals put forward would be judged on how closely they corresponded to Russian interests.

The spokesman confirmed that Moscow maintained channels of dialogue with American negotiators, and Russian officials have expressed hope that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Moscow when their schedules permit, with dialogue between the two capitals expected to continue. Efforts by the United States to broker a peace deal have largely stalled in recent months, with diplomatic attention diverted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and the prospect of a breakthrough appears remote as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke this week with Witkoff and Kushner about the prospects for renewed talks with Russia and is due to meet President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, a meeting that could provide further clarity on the direction of American diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian officials have previously approached Putin with offers of a ceasefire, which were turned down, and it remains to be seen whether the current proposal, if it materialises, would meet a different fate given the evolving dynamics on the battlefield and the growing economic strain on Russia. Analysts have suggested that Kyiv's long-range strikes deep into Russian territory, which have disrupted supply lines and damaged critical infrastructure, may be designed in part to create leverage for future negotiations, though the Kremlin has shown little inclination to compromise on its core demands. As diplomatic activity intensifies, the coming days are likely to be crucial in determining whether the reported air ceasefire proposal gains traction or joins the long list of failed initiatives that have punctuated the conflict since 2022.