Kremlin hopes Witkoff's diplomatic skills will help prompt Kiev toward greater readiness for peace process

MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax) - Russia hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has proven his diplomatic skills in the Middle East peace process, could help prompt Kiev to show a greater readiness for a peace process on Ukraine, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"Certainly, we welcome such intentions, we welcome the confirmation of the political will to assist the search for peaceful solutions in every possible way. We know Mr. Witkoff very well. He is efficient. He has now proven his efficiency in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to work already on the Ukraine track," Peskov told journalists when commenting on Trump's instruction for Witkoff to focus on the Ukraine conflict settlement after the Middle East.

Russia "remains open to and ready for a peace dialogue," Peskov said.

"And we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic prowess of President Trump's envoys will certainly help prompt the Ukrainian side toward a greater readiness for a peace process," he said.