Russia says peace process is best way to solve war in Ukraine: Kremlin
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Dmitry Peskov asserts that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has obviously lost his legitimacy, something that might seriously impede the peace effort.
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Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov visits the Oranienbaum Palace and Park complex in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 11, 2024. (AP)
The preferable course of action for ending the war in Ukraine is the peace process, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday.
At a meeting with participants of the New Media Festival, Peskov said, "Russia has never abandoned the peace process, and we remain ready. We have the task of ensuring our security both for us and for future generations. Of course, the peace process is preferable."
It is challenging to discuss the specifics of potential talks with Kiev without being aware of the specifics of the statement of Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, said Peskov.
Kuleba stated earlier in the day when speaking with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing that Ukraine is prepared for discussions with Russia, but that they must be reasonable and realistic in order to bring about a fair and durable peace.
Peskov relayed to reporters, "We know about Minister Kuleba's statements from the words of the official representative of the People's Republic of China. Now let us see if there will be any clarification of what is said. So far there have been no clarifications, accordingly, it is difficult to talk about any details."
Open for negotiations
Peskov stated on Wednesday that the message conveyed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba regarding Kiev's preparedness to start talks with Russia is consistent with Moscow's stance.
"You and I really know from reports from Beijing that such a statement was made at a meeting with Wang Yi. The message itself is in unison with our position," Peskov told reporters, noting, "You know that the Russian side has never refused negotiations and has always maintained its openness to the negotiation process."
This comes as a change of mind as 10 days ago, Peskov stated that the conditions are not yet suitable for holding peace talks regarding Ukraine and emphasized that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) made it clear during its latest summit that Ukraine will join the alliance.
This move, according to Peskov, shows that NATO is disregarding Russia's primary concerns, highlighting the threats it poses to Moscow. Peskov elaborated that this situation means that the conditions are not yet ripe for negotiations, and Russia must continue to work toward achieving the goals set by President Vladimir Putin.
The diplomat asserted that Volodymyr Zelensky has lost any sense of legitimacy, which has the potential to seriously impede the peace process.
"This certainly remains a problem," according to Peskov, who added that "...these are factors that can significantly complicate the peace process." Yet, he confirmed that Russia is still open to talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Back in April, Peskov himself had warned that in the near future, many across the world, including people in Ukraine, are likely to raise doubts about the legitimacy of Zelensky, insisting that he will have to "justify himself".
"Very soon, the moment will come when many people, including in Ukraine, will question his [Zelensky's] legitimacy. In any case, even from the legal point of view, it will have to be done. And he will have to justify himself somehow," Peskov told Rossiya 1 reporter Pavel Zarubin.
