Russia remains open to peace negotiations with Ukraine and expects the United States to play a mediating role, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
Speaking in an interview with Russia's state television VGTRK, Peskov claimed that Ukrainian armed forces have stepped up attacks on Russian infrastructure amid a deteriorating situation along the frontlines. He added that Russian troops are establishing a security buffer zone along the border and that tangible progress has already been made.
Peskov said Russia is still willing to engage in peace talks and welcomes visits by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Although neither of them has visited Russia for some time, Peskov said communication between Russia and the U.S. has continued through existing channels.
He noted that the European Union is transforming into a military and political bloc, which has contributed to further deterioration of the Ukraine crisis. He expressed hope that the EU would not undermine prospects for peace negotiations.
Russia remains open to peace talks, expects US mediation: Peskov
Kiev has refused to accept the bodies of Ukrainian servicemen who died in Konstantinovka in Donetsk, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry on Saturday expressed Russia's readiness to conduct a humanitarian operation in order to hand over the bodies, and proposed that the Ukrainian side stop shelling Konstantinovka from 12:00 to 18:00 on July 6, 2026.
Kiev was given a deadline of noon Sunday to respond through official designated communication channels.
The ministry said more than 20 media editorial boards from different countries and continents expressed their desire to cover the handover, adding that it would organize the work of journalists in Konstantinovka in the event of the consent of the Ukrainian side.
"After reviewing the proposal with its security agencies, the Ukrainian side turned down this initiative," the ministry stated.
Russia claimed on Friday that its armed forces had taken full control of the city of Konstantinovka in the frontline. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied the claim, saying the city is still under the control of the Ukrainian side.
Ukraine refuses to retrieve bodies of fallen troops: Russian Defense Ministry
