Russia is sending a clear message to European governments, blaming Europe for severing diplomatic relations at a time when developments regarding Ukraine are underway.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made it clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin never refused to speak with European countries, noting that Moscow remains available for contacts provided there is genuine political will on the other side.
Peskov: The Europeans abandoned dialogue with Russia
"I want to remind you that President Putin never refused contacts with the Europeans. We, as the Russian side, have repeated this many times and at various levels. President Putin was never the one who initiated the severing of relations with the Europeans. It was the Europeans themselves who abandoned these relations and dialogue," Peskov stated characteristically.
At the same time, the Kremlin spokesperson underscored that Russia has not changed its stance and remains ready to hold talks with European countries. However, he pointed out that the European side must appoint a representative with genuine authorization to conduct negotiations.
"If the Europeans have someone who is even remotely authorized to speak, and if there is indeed a desire on their part, then, of course, we will be ready to discuss with them," he pointed out characteristically.
Europe's participation in the negotiations
The Kremlin did not rule out the possibility of European countries participating in the peace process for Ukraine, clarifying, however, that their true intentions must first be established.
According to Peskov, Moscow could consider holding talks in an expanded format, provided it determines that the Europeans genuinely wish to contribute to the peace process. "Once we understand their true intentions and their readiness to contribute to the peace process, then we will be able to make a substantive decision regarding holding dialogue to settle the Ukrainian issue in an expanded format," he noted.
At the same time, the Kremlin spokesperson declined to comment on media reports portraying French President Emmanuel Macron as a potential representative of Europe in the negotiations over Ukraine.
As he explained, various candidate names are constantly circulating, preventing the Russian side from taking a position on any specific candidacy.
He also declined to comment on the possibility of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas assuming this role.
A new round of negotiations with the US and Ukraine is coming
Alongside its message to Europe, Moscow provided new information regarding the course of trilateral negotiations with the US and Ukraine.
Peskov stated that the Russian side expects the next round of talks to take place in the near future, without specifying a concrete date.
"We estimate that it will take place fairly soon, in the foreseeable future," he stated characteristically.
At the same time, he clarified that there are currently no plans to change the composition of the Russian delegation, which will remain unchanged.
Should the need arise to expand it, the relevant decision will be made by Vladimir Putin himself.
The Kremlin spokesperson also referred to the previous talks in Abu Dhabi, describing the conditions created for holding them as particularly favorable and expressing the Russian side's gratitude to the United Arab Emirates.
Finally, he clarified that during those specific negotiations, no proposals were submitted for existing member states to withdraw from NATO, nor was any such discussion held.
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