No words from Ukraine about Minsk agreements: Kremlin
Kremlin is yet to hear anything from Paris in light of Macron's meeting with Zelensky though the former pledged to inform Moscow of anything.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 8, 2022
Russia is yet to hear Ukraine's words about readiness to swiftly start the implementation of the Minsk agreements during the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
Kremlin had previously said Russia did not expect any decisive breakthrough from the talks between President Putin and Macron.
"From what was said at the press conference [after Macron and Zelensky meeting], there were positive signals that a solution in Ukraine could only be based on the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which is true," Peskov said.
Tensions around the Ukrainian situation, Peskov explained, provoked increased vitality in the markets.
"Economic risks that everyone faces. Because this tension is projected onto the situation both in the markets and on the stock exchanges of our country and others," the spokesperson told reporters.
Moscow disagrees with Borrel remark on 'authoritarian regimes' in Russia, China
During the same press briefing, Peskov said the Kremlin disagreed with EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell's comments about a joint statement by Beijing and Moscow, calling it the basis for a powerful alliance of "two authoritarian regimes."
"No, we absolutely disagree, firstly, with the assessment that we are talking about authoritarian regimes, we do not think that the EU has the right to give such assessments of Russia or China," Peskov stressed before reporters.
"We are large sovereign countries with our own political system, with our own state structure," he added.
No decision on new Western sanctions on Russia
The West is yet to make a final decision on new sanctions on Russia, Peskov said, which they have been threatening for months at this point.
"Very contradicting statements are coming from the West, Western countries. And in some capitals, they say that it is necessary to impose sanctions against our country immediately, it is not clear why," Peskov declared.
"Other capitals say there should be no adoption of sanctions without that very excessive Russian aggression - then the sanctions will lose their deterrent effect," he added, saying the West has not decided and citing unpredictability in its decisions, which is evident.
Normandy format talks to be held Thursday
"Political advisers will continue their conversation. Yes, such a meeting will take place," and positive perspectives for Russia may be linked only to the implementation of the Minsk agreement, Peskov asserted.
When asked about Macron contacting Putin, Peskov said they have not talked since the French president left Moscow.
"No, they haven’t talked yet. Although you know that while still in Moscow, presidents Putin and Macron agreed that after Macron talked with [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz, and other colleagues, they would then call each other and exchange views," Peskov responded.
On the talks themselves, Peskov said Macron and Zelensky both had positive and less positive signals.
Macron was the first major Western leader to meet with Putin since the crisis started in December, which entails the West accusing Russia of preparing to invade Ukraine and amassing troops along the border.
The West has been threatening Russia with sanctions in case of an escalation while fueling one through deploying troops all over Europe and providing Kyiv with arms.
