Trilateral talks on Ukraine have been put on hold, a senior Kremlin aide said on Thursday, April 2, according to Russian state-controlled outlet Interfax.
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow continues contacts with US officials despite the pause.
“Currently, there is a pause in trilateral negotiations,” Ushakov said, according to Interfax.
He added that Russia remains in contact with the United States and is discussing what he described as “Ukrainian-related issues.”
Focus on bilateral contacts
Ushakov said US negotiators are currently focused on other issues, without specifying details.
He also indicated that discussions with Washington are ongoing, while noting that Ukraine is holding its own talks with US representatives.
There has been no immediate confirmation of Ushakov’s claims from US or Ukrainian officials.
Ushakov’s comments come amid stalled US-led peace talks with Russia, as Washington increasingly shifts attention to its war with Iran. Zelensky has previously rejected a US proposal that, according to him, would involve Ukraine giving up control over parts of Donbas in exchange for security guarantees.
On Tuesday President Volodymyr Zelensky said, that Russia has given Ukraine what he described as a two-month ultimatum to withdraw from Donbas or face harsher peace terms.
He dismissed the proposal as unrealistic and questioned why such demands continue to be taken seriously.
“I am surprised how anyone can believe this… after so many years, they continue pushing this narrative,” he said.
Zelensky added that Russia’s own statements contradict its claims that its goals are limited to Donbas.