Next round of Ukraine talks depends on Middle East, other factors, Kremlin aide says

"It will also depend on the situation on the battlefield and the situation in general. You can see the situation now in the Middle East. It just doesn't allow us to hold it in the near future.

That's my assumption," Ushakov, referring to the regional fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran. Ushakov also said there had been no discussion of having European negotiators in attendance at the next round of talks.

The leaders of Britain, Germany and France said last weekend that ⁠Europe would play a role in US-mediated talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy on securing a ceasefire. "There is absolutely no talk about this, nothing being considered," Ushakov was quoted as saying.

"What there is now is an agreement on resuming three-sided consultations with representatives of Russia, Ukraine ⁠and the United States. "The United States has led efforts to move forward with talks on finding a solution to the 4-1/2-year-old Ukraine conflict, leaving European countries – Ukraine's closest allies and biggest military backers – largely ⁠on the sidelines.

Ushakov said at the weekend that Europe should be included in discussions as its position could be crucial. In comments earlier on Wednesday, Ushakov said the possible participation ⁠of European countries in the negotiations was not discussed during Putin's phone conversation on Tuesday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.