Back Channels Stay Open as Putin Sends Zelensky a Message

Diplomatic contacts over Ukraine are continuing through American intermediaries, the Kremlin said Tuesday, even as a direct call between the leaders remains unscheduled. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and President Trump is not on the agenda for now, while adding that such a call could be arranged quickly if needed.

Peskov said the United States negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would promptly convey to Moscow the substance of their talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and that Washington had not yet passed Russia the details of that exchange. He confirmed that American mediators remain in contact with both Moscow and Kyiv.

From the Ukrainian side, Zelensky said he had received Putin's message regarding the possible framework for peace talks, according to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). That suggests proposals are being exchanged between the capitals even without a scheduled summit.

The situation is one of active but unhurried diplomacy. Russia continues to present itself as open to negotiation while blaming European reluctance for the lack of progress, a characterization that Western governments reject.