Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky was possible only after “a negotiating team has done all the homework.”
This element is also missing. Therefore, there are currently no necessary prerequisites for the meeting that Mr. Erdogan is talking about,” he said.
According to him, the Kremlin appreciates Erdogan’s efforts to streamline the negotiation process between Moscow and Kyiv. A spokesman for the Russian leader noted that the Turkish president “repeatedly offered his services” and “made efforts to initiate a peace process”.
“We know that his[Erdogan’s]role is quite large in setting up very, very good conditions for a few rounds of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. And the president continues to express such political will – to make an effort to assist such a process. But you know that the Ukrainian delegation of negotiators “has gone off the radar” as they say. There is no negotiation process on this issue at the moment,” he said.
He noted that the special military operation will continue until the determined targets are achieved.
The spokesman for the Russian presidency also commented on Zelensky’s latest video message, which was broadcast on Telegram, in which the Ukrainian leader said holding a referendum in the southern regions under the control of the Russian Armed Forces would close any opportunity for Russia to negotiate. Ukraine and the free world.
“The fact is that these plans are with the residents. It’s not like we’re holding a referendum. Here, apparently, it is necessary to understand to whom Zelensky addressed this phrase – to citizens of Ukraine or citizens of Russia of the regions in question. As for the citizens and leadership of Russia, in this case we are the wrong address, ”Peskov said.
According to him, Zelensky “should turn to his compatriots, ask why there are so many who do not want to live in his country.
Erdogan Report
On his return from Sochi, Erdogan told reporters that he offered Putin a meeting with Zelensky “despite the difficulties on the ground”. The Turkish leader stressed that he is “absolutely convinced” of the possibility of resolving the Ukrainian crisis “at the negotiating table”.
“I reminded Mr. Putin once again that we can have his meeting with Mr. Zelensky. We will continue to develop our dialogue in every field to contribute to regional and global peace with our Black Sea neighbor Russia.”
Erdogan noted that he agreed with the Russian leader “on the ruble as a (monetary) trade unit”. He is confident that the ruble trade “will be a serious source of income for Turkey and Russia.” He added that “very serious progress” has been made in the rollout of Russian Mir cards in Turkey – they are currently accepted by five banks in the country.
According to the Turkish president, at the meeting the parties also confirmed their plans to launch bilateral trade of up to $100 billion a year. To this end, the countries “energy, trade, tourism, and agriculture.” According to Erdogan, this will make trade between the two states “more balanced”.
rapprochement with Turkey
According to Peskov, the fact that Russia and Turkey increased their settlement shares in their national currencies is not aimed at the collapse of the dollar.
“The increase in the share of reciprocal agreements in national currencies with different countries is not intended to bring anything down, especially to drive the dollar down. The dollar has ceased to be a reliable reserve currency, and these fears are now shared by many countries. Unfortunately, the dollar issuing country has shaken confidence in this currency by its actions, so many countries are naturally looking for opportunities to reduce the share of the dollar in their trade turnover and increase the share of settlements in the national currency. currency unit. Peskov said, “The same process is going on in our relations with the Republic of Turkey.
He also reminded that Moscow and Ankara agreed to pay a part of the gas supplied in rubles. At the same time, the press secretary of the president of Russia hopes that “the share of the use of national currencies will increase.”
In addition, Peskov said that Turkey should not be subject to secondary Western sanctions because of its cooperation with Russia in the energy sector.
“This cannot and should not be a reason for any secondary sanction. Although it can be predicted that the United States will continue its policy of exerting absolutely unprecedented pressure on EU countries and those countries that do not want to follow the main streams of Brussels, ”he said. Increased cooperation with Russia.
In particular, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that Western countries were concerned about the friendship between Moscow and Ankara. An unnamed EU official told the broadcast that the EU is monitoring Turkish-Russian cooperation “increasingly more closely”.