MOSCOW 

US officials are criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy due to his reluctance to engage in peace talks with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov noted that few can remain indifferent to Kyiv’s attempts to rule out "the possibility of peaceful negotiations."

"Take note of the recent statements by Mr. (US Secretary of State Marco) Rubio. It is evident that few people can stay indifferent to the actions of the Kyiv regime, which rejects the prospect of peace talks and refuses to engage in peacemaking. Naturally, this provokes emotional reactions," he explained.

At the same time, he emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin is still open to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

When asked whether the current US administration’s stance could be considered “pro-Russian,” Peskov dismissed the notion, calling it a misinterpretation.

He argued that Washington's financial support for the war against Russia has proven ineffective and has only fostered corruption.

“We believe it is wrong to continue funding this war. Moreover, even its effectiveness—already acknowledged—is extremely low. Instead, it has contributed to a truly disgraceful atmosphere of corruption," he said.

Regarding a potential meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin spokesman clarified that no specific details have been set, only a mutual understanding of the need for such talks, which was discussed during a meeting between Russian and American delegations in Riyadh on Tuesday.

"There is also a shared commitment to thoroughly prepare for this meeting to ensure its maximum effectiveness. All relevant details will be addressed during the preparation process," he added.

In response to another question about Putin's plans for the third anniversary of Russia's "special military operation in Ukraine," Peskov said, "No special formats are planned."

He added, "The operation is still ongoing, so it is premature to draw any conclusions. All of the objectives set by the head of state and supreme commander-in-chief must be met."

Responding to media reports that Russian and US representatives had informal discussions about Ukraine in Switzerland in recent months, Peskov said, "I cannot comment on this. I have no such information."

Amid reports that Washington intends to withdraw from the UN, Peskov said he only learned about it through media outlets and is unaware of the specifics.

Russia recognizes the global organization's flaws but believes it has no other options, he remarked.