The next round of negotiations between Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker is unlikely to take place before the end of the year, a source familiar with the process of negotiations told Interfax.

"A meeting is unlikely to be held before the end of the year. Meetings will probably continue, as early as the next year. It is caused by continuing disagreements in views on the settlement mechanisms," the source said.

Earlier today, speaking on Kommersant-FM radio U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov and United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker would have a meeting next week.

This meeting will apparently be the fourth round of the negotiations, he said. Huntsman said he hoped the fourth round of the consultations would see some signs of success.

While the previous three rounds of negotiations between Volker and Surkov were not productive enough, the very fact that such consultations have taken place is inspiring, he said.

Interfax is yet to obtain official confirmation of the possibility of holding the next round of negotiations.