MOSCOW / PARIS - Russia is not interested in stalling negotiations on Ukraine and aims to achieve its goals by political and diplomatic means, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

Peskov said it takes time to implement the agreements reached in the first two rounds of direct talks with Ukraine, including prisoner exchanges and the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

"Objectively, it is difficult to talk about the possibility of any strong acceleration," he said, adding that nobody stops or slows down the work on implementing the agreements.

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Peskov's comment came after US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said Monday that "Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine."

Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2, respectively, in Istanbul, Türkiye. During the second round of talks, they agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

READ MORE: Russia, Ukraine swap more prisoners under Istanbul deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to hold the third round of talks after completing the exchanges.

Putin, Macron hold phone conversation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday discussed the Middle East and Ukraine situations in their first phone conversation since 2022, according to the Kremlin.

The two presidents discussed Iran's nuclear program and the Ukraine situation. On Iran, Macron emphasized that as permanent members of the UN Security Council, France and Russia share responsibilities under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), according to the Elysee Palace.

READ MORE: Putin: Russia, Ukraine ready to meet for peace talks after June 22

A statement issued by Kremlin on the conversation said that the presidents stressed the importance of respecting Iran's legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy and continuing its commitments under the NPT, including cooperation with the IAEA.

On Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said Macron reiterated France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He urged the swift establishment of a ceasefire and the initiation of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at achieving a firm and lasting resolution to the conflict.

READ MORE: Kremlin: Normalization process of Russia-US ties put on hold

Regarding the situation around Ukraine, Putin said that the Ukrainian conflict is "a direct consequence of Western policies," adding that such policies are now "prolonging hostilities" by supplying Ukraine with various modern weapons, according to Kremlin.

On prospects for a peaceful settlement, Putin stressed comprehensive and long-term solutions that address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and "take into account new territorial realities," Kremlin added.