Kremlin Says Ukraine Peace Process Long, Complex

(MENAFN) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned Saturday that despite Washington's appetite for a swift end to the war in Ukraine, "it is a complex and lengthy process" — drawing a direct parallel to the difficulties the US faces in its negotiations with Iran.

Speaking to Russian media outlet Vesti, Peskov elaborated on the scale of the diplomatic challenge ahead.

"Reaching a peace agreement [between Russia and Ukraine] is a very long road, full of complex details. Just like, for example, the road the United States must travel with Iran," he said.

Peskov added that a potential extension of the ceasefire beyond May 11 had not yet been put on the table, a state news agency reported. On the subject of direct communication between President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump, the Kremlin spokesman confirmed no new call was currently scheduled.

Responding to Trump's suggestion that a US delegation could travel to Moscow to advance Ukraine peace negotiations, Peskov signalled Russia's openness.

"There are no specifics yet, but naturally, Russia is always ready to do so," he said.

Victory Day, Ceasefires, and Mutual Accusations
Peskov also dismissed any notion that Russia's Victory Day commemorations had been targeted for disruption. Putin presided over the annual military parade on Red Square marking the Soviet Union's triumph in World War II, joined by a host of foreign leaders including Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

Ahead of the celebrations, Moscow had declared a unilateral two-day ceasefire covering May 8–9, warning Kyiv of a "massive" missile response should the festivities be disrupted. Ukraine subsequently announced it would observe a ceasefire beginning at midnight Tuesday — yet both sides swiftly traded accusations of violations in the days that followed.

Trump's Ceasefire Claim
On Friday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a three-day ceasefire running from Saturday through Monday, paired with a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, voicing gratitude toward both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the accord.

"Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day," Trump added.

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