Kremlin Says Peace Deal Still Far Off Despite US Push

The Kremlin has acknowledged that the United States is eager to conclude a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, but says an agreement remains a long way off.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that Washington's efforts were understandable but that resolving the conflict was extremely complicated, requiring lengthy negotiations and the resolution of many outstanding details.

Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Friday that they had agreed to a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States, in effect from 9 to 11 May. President Donald Trump has said he hopes to extend it.

Russia's defense ministry said on Saturday that Ukraine had repeatedly violated the ceasefire, while Moscow maintained that it continued to comply.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war in Ukraine, describing it as a senseless conflict causing enormous losses on both sides, but has so far been unable to achieve a settlement.

Russian troops have been fighting in Ukraine for more than four years, making the conflict longer than the Soviet Union's involvement in the Second World War.

(reuters, lud)