Russia announces start of direct negotiations with Ukraine mediated by Washington

In a significant development in the Ukrainian crisis, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Moscow is currently holding direct negotiations with Kiev, mediated by the United States, in a move that reflects a new initiative in efforts to end the war that has been ongoing for over three years.

Peskov stated to TASS news agency: "We are conducting direct negotiations with representatives of the Kiev regime ... and by the way, these negotiations are being mediated by the American side".

This announcement comes at a time when no real political breakthrough has been achieved so far, despite attempts by US President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House earlier this year, to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt military operations.

Two previous rounds of talks between Moscow and Kiev were held in Turkey on May 16 and June 2, but ended without significant results, and dates for any third round have not been set yet.

Since the start of the war in February 2022, Russia has insisted on achieving its full objectives, including Ukraine relinquishing control of four areas partially controlled by the Russian army, in addition to the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Moscow also demands that Kiev completely abandon its intention to join NATO, demands that Ukraine firmly rejects.

On the other hand, Ukraine insists on a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from its territories, as Moscow still controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, with military operations continuing without a clear solution in sight.