Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Thursday that the US was pushing Ukraine to further escalate the conflict and was deliberately damaging efforts to restore peace by issuing provoking statements and the supplies of arms and weapons to Kiev.

The Russian official further expressed concern over statements delivered by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who stated that the US would not impede Kiev from developing long-range missiles.

"It is in fact encouraging the Kiev regime to escalate, while supported by the US and other NATO states. It is practically a call for erasing any prospects of returning to the political dialogue in the format of negotiations," Ryabkov told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster, adding that the US and its allies were responsible for sabotaging negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul in April.

Efforts to push for negotiations between the two warring parties have been ongoing since the start of the conflict.

But Kiev's lack of consideration of Moscow's legitimate interests, the ultimatums Ukraine imposes on the conditions for peace talks, and the US role in sabotaging negotiations have caused the peace talks to reach a standstill.

On November 6, The Wahington Post said that US President Joe Biden's administration is secretly pressing Kiev to demonstrate a willingness to negotiate with Moscow although Washington does not want Ukraine to start negotiations with Russia, according to the newspaper.

On December 2, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not ready for negotiations with Russia.

"President Zelensky... also has said he believes in a diplomatic solution, but he's not ready either. So we're just not at a point right now where talks seem to be a fruitful avenue to approach," Kirby said at a press briefing, adding that the US is committed to ensuring that Ukraine continues to receive necessary security assistance.

Yesterday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine if a concrete proposal that is considerate of Moscow's interests is presented.

"If there is now a serious proposal on how to stop this conflict while meeting our absolutely legitimate demands, of course we will be ready to talk," Lavrov said at the 8th Primakov Readings forum in Moscow.