Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov commented on the collapse of scheduled peace talks between the US, Europe, and Ukraine in London, following the withdrawal of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several European representatives.
“In London, it was really about a meeting of envoys from the US and Ukraine so that the US could continue its mediation efforts. As far as we understand, [they] have not yet managed to bring positions closer on some issues, so this meeting did not take place,” according to TASS.
He added that while Russia continues contacts with the US on Ukraine, the Kremlin currently has no communication with either the European Union or the Ukrainian authorities.
According to Peskov, there are “many nuances” to resolving the war in Ukraine that still need to be agreed upon. However, he stressed that “any outlines of options for this settlement cannot be public, otherwise they will lose their effectiveness.”
He also said Moscow does not consider the recent statement by US Vice President JD Vance – regarding the potential US withdrawal from Ukraine negotiations – an ultimatum from Washington.
Peskov reiterated that Russia remains opposed to the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.
The high-level meeting, planned for Wednesday, April 23, was set to include foreign ministers from Ukraine, the UK, Germany, France, as well as Rubio.
However, Rubio canceled his participation after Ukraine firmly rejected a clause in the Trump administration’s proposal that would recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Following Rubio’s withdrawal, the foreign ministers of France and Germany also declined to attend.
In place of the larger summit, bilateral talks between Ukrainian and UK officials are being held in London, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Ukrainian delegation led by the Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, First Deputy Head Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in London.
According to Sybiha, the first meetings are being held with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defense Secretary John Healey.
“We are grateful to the UK for its leadership and support. We will discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine and guarantee long-term peace and security,” he said.