Moscow, Sept. 12 -- Communication between the negotiating teams of Russia and Ukraine has been "paused", Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, Tass reported.

"Communication channels are available, those have been established. Even as our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate via these channels, rather, we can state that this communication has been paused," Peskov said, when asked about contacts between negotiators from Moscow and Kyiv.

Since May, Russia and Ukraine have held three rounds of direct talks. As a result of the first two rounds of negotiations, they agreed on the exchange of prisoners under a "thousand for a thousand" formula, as well as on the return of seriously ill and young (under 25) prisoners under ...