Russia calls US halt of Ukraine arms support "the greatest contribution to peace"

Dmitry Peskov, Russian Kremlin spokesperson

Russia welcomed the United States' suspension of arms support to Ukraine as the "best contribution" to peace.

According to RIA Novosti, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated on the 4th (local time), "If the United States stops being a supplier of weapons to Ukraine or halts such supplies, it would probably be the best contribution to peace."

Peskov said that the details of the suspension need to be confirmed, but "if true, it would be a decision that could actually push the Kyiv regime toward the peace process."

Regarding reports that the Trump administration is seeking to ease sanctions against Russia, he emphasized, "Relations between Russia and the United States could be normalized." Peskov said, "If we are talking about normalizing bilateral relations, these relations need to be freed from the negative burdens caused by so-called sanctions."

He added that since he has not heard an official statement from the U.S. about easing sanctions, it is premature to discuss this issue in advance, reaffirming the existing position that "sanctions are considered illegal."

When asked whether the two countries could hold additional negotiations related to ending the war in Ukraine before the full normalization of embassy operations between the U.S. and Russia, Peskov replied, "It does not seem likely." He also said it is too early to mention where the next meeting would be held.

The two countries held ministerial-level talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 18th of last month, and director-general and deputy undersecretary-level talks in Istanbul, T?rkiye, on the 27th of last month to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations. Russia announced at the Istanbul talks that the U.S. had agreed to the appointment of Aleksandr Darchiev, Director of the North America Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, as the Russian ambassador to the United States.