MOSCOW

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that officials from the US, Europe, and Ukraine were unable to meet in London because they lack agreement on key issues.

“As far as we understand, they have not yet managed to bridge their differences on several points, which is why the meeting has not taken place,” Peskov said at a press briefing in Moscow.

Talks between the US, Ukraine and European foreign ministers to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine were canceled on Wednesday as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he could not attend.

Talks were downgraded and continued at a lower level.

Peskov said that while Russia maintains contact with the US regarding a potential settlement of the conflict, there is currently no dialogue with either Europe or Ukraine.

However, President Vladimir Putin “remains open” to such contacts, should they serve the interests of resolving the crisis, he added.

“We continue our dialogue, especially with the US. But there are many complex and delicate issues that require alignment before any meaningful progress can be made,” he said.

The spokesman also emphasized that any draft agreements on the Ukrainian settlement must remain confidential because as soon as they become public, they lose their effectiveness.

Peskov reiterated Russia’s opposition to the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine as such forces would effectively constitute NATO military infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.

“This was, in fact, one of the primary reasons for launching the special military operation,” he stressed.

Regarding a potential visit by US presidential envoy Steven Witkoff, Peskov said the Kremlin would announce it only after it occurs.

“The situation is very fluid and rapidly evolving. We will inform you after the fact to avoid creating false expectations or misunderstandings,” he said.

On unrelated matters, asked who would represent Russia at the Saturday funeral of Pope Francis, Peskov said no decision had yet been made.

As for the expected visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Moscow on May 9, for the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II, Peskov noted, “To our knowledge, he does not plan to attend. He is not on the list.”