MOSCOW

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the next round of US-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks is planned for next week, again in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov said the exact date has yet to be finalized, though US media reported that the talks could resume on Feb. 1.

"Planned for next week. I cannot name the exact date right now," he said.

Assessing the initial outcomes, Peskov cautioned that it would be premature to expect high effectiveness from the early trilateral contacts, given the complexity of the issues involved.

"The territorial issue, which is part of the 'Anchorage Formula,' naturally has fundamental significance for the Russian side. Our negotiators continue to defend our interests," he said.

Russia and Ukraine held two days of consultations on Jan. 23-24 in Abu Dhabi, with US mediation. The US administration has described the talks as “constructive.”