The Kremlin appreciates the efforts of the Vatican to help resolve the Ukraine crisis, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on Wednesday, as he confirmed the arrival in Moscow of a papal envoy for peace talks.

"We highly value the efforts and initiatives of the Vatican and welcome the aspiration of the pope to contribution to ending the armed conflict (in Ukraine)," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a regular briefing.

He said Putin's foreign affairs adviser would hold talks with the envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, at Putin's request.