The Russian government announced on Thursday that it has once again extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Moscow for peace discussions, amid renewed international efforts led by the United States to bring an end to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

The statement came on a day when Russia and Ukraine conducted another exchange involving fallen soldiers, and shortly after Moscow declined to address speculation about a possible mutual pause on attacks targeting energy infrastructure.

Recent U.S.-facilitated discussions held in Abu Dhabi have added fresh energy to peace negotiations, though deep divisions remain between the positions of the two countries. While diplomatic activity continues, fighting on the ground remains intense, and Ukraine is grappling with ongoing electricity shortages following missile strikes on power facilities.

According to a U.S. official cited by Axios, both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are reportedly nearing agreement on a potential face-to-face meeting following recent mediation efforts.

Another round of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives is scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed optimism about progress toward ending what has become Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II.

However, several major sticking points persist, including disputes over territorial control, the role of international peacekeeping forces in a post-war scenario, and the future status of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has not yet received a formal reply from Zelensky regarding the Moscow invitation. Zelensky previously declined a similar proposal last year, citing security concerns and counter-suggesting talks in Kyiv.

Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov emphasized that any high-level meeting between the two leaders would require careful preparation and meaningful objectives, while also assuring Zelensky’s safety if he were to travel to Russia.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that territorial disputes remain the most challenging obstacle to resolving the conflict. Russia continues to demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region still under Kyiv’s control, a proposal Ukraine has rejected, arguing it would reward aggression.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also questioned the reliability of U.S.-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting they may not produce lasting stability if Ukraine’s current leadership remains in power.

Adding to the divide, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov publicly opposed peace talks, calling instead for the war to continue until Russia achieves full military objectives.