Moscow - Saba:
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Sunday that Russia prefers political and diplomatic means to resolve the Ukrainian issue, but that the special military operation began when Kyiv and the West rejected these means.Sputnik quoted Peskov as saying at a press conference: "Russia prefers political and diplomatic means to resolve the Ukrainian issue, but the special military operation is continuing under conditions in which these methods have become impossible, as all proposals for dialogue have been rejected by Ukraine itself and the Westerners."
Peskov emphasized that "if we are able to move towards a diplomatic settlement, this will be our preferred option."
Peskov revealed that thinking about how to build relations with Ukraine after the special military operation must first be preceded by settling the Ukrainian conflict.
In response to a question about the principles upon which Moscow will build its relations with Kyiv after the success of the special military operation, Peskov said, "This is a very theoretical question now... First, we must resolve the situation, and then think about how to build relations."
He added, "First, we must resolve the problem, and we must record the actual achievement of the tasks that the special military operation set out to accomplish."
Peskov said on July 25 that a meeting between Russia and Ukraine at the highest levels should put an end to the standoff for a settlement.
Peskov told reporters in response to a question about whether the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenskyy following the third round of talks in Istanbul had become more realistic: "A summit can and should be held that sets a final point in the settlement and establishes the mechanisms and agreements that will be developed in the course of the experts’ work. It is impossible to do the opposite."
Regarding the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenskyy before the end of August, Peskov explained that such complex preliminary work is unlikely to be completed within 30 days.