Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a final settlement of the Ukraine conflict would be impossible without Kiev’s participation.

According to Peskov, the Ukrainian side must be represented in the negotiations by someone prepared to take responsibility for the decisions reached.

He also said Moscow values Washington’s role as a mediator and noted that the United States continues its peace efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

Earlier, UnHerd reported that European countries would struggle to continue supporting Kiev for long without U.S. backing. Its commentators argued that Europe could eventually have to accept a settlement proposed by Moscow and Washington.

U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said earlier that holding elections in Ukraine would not, by itself, resolve the underlying causes of the conflict. He added that the White House remains ready to act as a mediator if a genuine opportunity emerges to end the war, while acknowledging that the negotiations have been difficult.