Kremlin: Peace in Ukraine still “a very long way off”

May 09, 2026 / 5:02 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: The Kremlin said on Saturday that peace in Ukraine remains far off, despite U.S. efforts to accelerate negotiations and calls for a broader settlement to end the war.

Talks described as complex and effectively on hold

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Washington is eager to reach a deal, but stressed that the issues involved are highly complex, adding that discussions are currently “basically on hold”.

Ceasefire announcement and prisoner swap plan

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, which he said was agreed by both Russia and Ukraine, along with a proposed exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.

Moscow says negotiations remain paused

While Trump expressed hope for extending the truce, the Kremlin said the arrangement is limited to three days and that the timing for any resumed negotiations remains unclear, according to foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.