Kremlin Says Continuing Talks With Ukraine is in Russia's Own Interests

AFP

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it remains in Russia’s interests to continue peace negotiations with Ukraine, stressing that Moscow still favours a diplomatic settlement to end the conflict.

Talks have stalled in recent weeks amid disagreements over territorial issues. Russia has insisted that Ukraine hand over the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region not currently under Moscow’s control — a demand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected.

According to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the matter, Russian officials have increasingly questioned the value of continuing U.S.-led talks unless Kyiv signals a willingness to concede territory.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, however, that Russia remains committed to negotiations and that its overall approach has not changed.

"We have our own interests that we must protect, and it is in our interests to continue these negotiations. We certainly remain open to these negotiations," said Peskov, saying "a political and diplomatic resolution" was Moscow's preferred way of ending the fighting.

Asked whether U.S. strikes on Iran would affect the peace process for Ukraine, Peskov said that Russia continued to value U.S. mediation efforts, but said Moscow only trusted itself "first and foremost" and would be guided by its own interests.

Source: Reuters



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