Russia not losing interest in Ukraine talks despite lack of progress on territorial issue - Kremlin

MOSCOW. March 26 (Interfax) - Russia is not losing interest in the Ukraine talks and is hoping to hold the next round as soon as the situation allows, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov was asked at a press briefing on Thursday to comment on media reports, which said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had lost the incentive to agree on a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict because of the Iran war.

"No, this is an absolutely false idea, which does not correspond to reality. Indeed, some headway towards a settlement was made at the earlier rounds of talks, however, the main issues that are critical for Russia remain unresolved," Peskov said.

Such issues as territories are the main topic for discussion, he said. "No progress has been made on them thus far," Peskov said.

This does not mean that Russia is losing interest in negotiations, he said. "Quite the opposite, we stay open, maintain contact with the Americans, and hope to hold the next round of negotiations as soon as the situation allows," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian Special Presidential Representative for Investments and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries Kirill Dmitriev said that Russia is glad Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has finally realized that the United States will support Ukraine security guarantees only if Ukraine leaves Donbass.

"He [Zelensky] has said an important thing: he has finally realized that the United States will give security guarantees to Ukraine only if Ukraine fully leaves Donbass. This understanding cannot but please us," Dmitriev told journalists.

"Our diplomats are conducting very active dialogue in order to find the right solution to the conflict on Russia's terms," he said.