Russia Reports Suspension of Peace Talks with Ukraine, Citing Ongoing Contacts with the U.S.

Trilateral negotiations concerning Ukraine have been put on hold, a senior Kremlin official announced on Thursday, April 2, according to information released by the Russian state agency Interfax. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, noted that Moscow remains in contact with American officials, despite the suspension of negotiations.

"At this moment, the trilateral negotiations are on pause," Ushakov stated, as reported by Interfax. He added that Russia is still in touch with the United States and discussing what he described as "issues related to Ukraine."

Ushakov also pointed out that American negotiators are currently focused on other matters, without specifying details. He emphasized that discussions with Washington are ongoing, while noting that Ukraine is conducting its own negotiations with U.S. representatives.

At the time of publication, there was no immediate confirmation of Ushakov's statements from American or Ukrainian officials. Ushakov's comments came against the backdrop of stalled peace talks being held under U.S. auspices with Russia, as Washington increasingly shifts its focus to the war with Iran. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected a U.S. proposal that he claimed would require Ukraine to relinquish control over parts of Donbas in exchange for security guarantees.

On Tuesday, President Zelensky stated that Russia had given Ukraine what he believed to be a two-month ultimatum regarding the withdrawal of troops from Donbas or harsher peace conditions. He dismissed this proposal as unrealistic and questioned why such demands continue to be taken seriously.

Zelensky also expressed astonishment at how anyone could believe in this, noting, "After so many years, they continue to promote this narrative." He added that Russia's statements are contradictory and do not align with reality, emphasizing that the international community must closely monitor the situation.

It is worth recalling that on April 1, Russia conducted a drone strike on a warehouse belonging to a Ukrainian food retailer in Lutsk, resulting in the destruction of 75% of the logistical infrastructure for the Simi and Sim23 market networks, with the area of destruction exceeding 21,000 square meters. This incident underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the continuation of military actions affecting the civilian population and the economy of Ukraine.