Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a third round of negotiations to discuss draft memoranda on a possible settlement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

“We are conducting direct negotiations with representatives of the Kiev regime,” Peskov told reporters.

“It is necessary to hold a third round and begin discussions on the draft memoranda that the parties have previously exchanged,” he added, noting that while the talks are direct, they involve mediation efforts by the United States.

Peskov said Russia is currently awaiting Ukraine’s proposal on a date for the next round of talks.