Kremlin urges Trump to keep mediating despite midterm losses

With the opposition Democratic Party sweeping both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday (local time) that Russia "sincerely hopes" President Donald Trump will continue his peacemaking efforts.

Peskov made the remarks in an interview with Russian outlet Life, saying Trump "continues to carry out his term."

Peskov said Russia expects Trump to maintain his role as mediator regardless of the election outcome or any shift in the political balance within Congress.

Asked whether Congress might move to constrain Trump's diplomatic activities, Peskov was measured in his response, saying US elections and their results are "a matter of domestic affairs."

Russia and Ukraine are set to resume trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 10 and 11, mediated by the United States.

Trump recently criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and announced a temporary sanctions waiver to allow the United States to import Russian diesel. He has also continued to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire while maintaining contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.