**Kremlin Says Working‑Level Contacts with United States on Ukraine Continue**
*MOSCOW, 27 August 2026* – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday that diplomatic contacts between Russia and the United States concerning a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine are ongoing at the working‑level.
Peskov said, “At the working level, of course, our contacts with the US continue.” He added that Moscow does not have information on the timing or agenda for any forthcoming trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine.
The remarks came after Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, indicated that Kyiv wishes to revive negotiations on ending the war. Budanov is listed by Russian authorities as an extremist and terrorist.
When asked about Russia’s position on peace talks, Peskov affirmed that the Russian Federation remains “open to participating in negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement.” He also reiterated that Russia’s “special military operation” will continue, noting that the Kremlin would prefer to achieve its objectives by peaceful means but will persist with the operation if no diplomatic avenue is available.
Regarding the use of frozen Russian assets, Peskov said Russia will employ “the entire arsenal of legal means to protect its interests and to legally prosecute those who made and implemented such decisions.” He was responding to a question about recent initiatives by Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland to consider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Peskov characterized such actions as illegal and warned of legal consequences.
Peskov also criticized what he described as an “aggressive policy” by European countries toward Russia and dismissed Western media reports about alleged Russian plans against NATO as “horror stories” that “have nothing to do with reality.”
No further details were provided about the substance of the working‑level contacts or any specific proposals under discussion.
*Source: Sputnik International, 27 August 2026.*
Article and image source: sputnikglobe.com
