Peace talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine on ending the Ukraine war, the deadliest European conflict since World War II, were on a “situational pause”, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
Moscow’s statement followed a report by Russia’s Izvestia newspaper that the Iran war had temporarily halted negotiations between Moscow, Washington and Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hoped the pause would end and another round of negotiations can be held.
US President Donald Trump, who last year said he wanted to be remembered as a peacemaker, vowed to end the Ukraine war but has since said that efforts to resolve the conflict have been one of his biggest disappointments.
The US and Israeli attack on Iran has diverted US attention away from Ukraine and triggered soaring prices for oil and gas – of which Russia is a major global producer and exporter.
Izvestia, which in Soviet times represented official state views and is now under European Union sanctions, said in a front-page story that the Iran war could push Kyiv towards compromise.