Kremlin Responds to Zelenskyy: Open to dialogue for achieving Russian goals

Moscow is open to engaging in dialogue concerning Ukraine, including through the involvement of mediators, but insists that such discussions must advance Russian strategic objectives. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed this stance to reporters, as reported by TASS.

Peskov clarified the Kremlin’s position in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for mediated talks with Kyiv. “President Putin has repeatedly emphasized that the Russian Federation is willing to engage in any form of contact, any dialogue aimed at achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. The president maintains this openness; he has reiterated it on numerous occasions,” Peskov stated.

In addition to affirming Russia’s openness to dialogue, Peskov highlighted the conditional nature of any negotiations with Ukraine, underscoring the necessity for alignment with Russia’s strategic priorities. This comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and Ukrainian efforts to seek peaceful resolutions through international mediation.

Furthermore, Deputy Chairman Vladimir Dzhabarov of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs contextualized Zelenskyy’s call for negotiations within the current challenges facing Ukraine, suggesting a sense of urgency and pragmatism in Kyiv’s approach to diplomacy with Moscow.