MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The Kremlin is surprised to find out that Vladimir Putin’s image is used in the discussions around the possible exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
Peskov commented on UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s statements that Putin "might be happy" with Brexit, an abbreviation for what is known as "British exit." The UK is set to hold a referendum to decide if Britain should leave or remain in the EU this June.
"We have already got accustomed to that the Russian factor is one of persistent tools in the US election campaign. But the use of the Russian factor or the factor of President Putin in the Brexit issue is new for us," Peskov said.
Peskov reminded that the Russian leader has stated many times that Moscow is interested in building partnership and mutually beneficial relations with the EU countries - both with the union itself and its member-states.
In comments to Tuesday’s visit to Moscow of a group of British MPs, Peskov said Russia has never supported curtailing relations with the European countries and the EU. "If speaking about Britain in particular, then of course we are interested that our relations, which are rather deplorable now, are revived and become of a mutually beneficial character."
Peskov reminded that Moscow did not refuse to cooperate with London. "We are very interested in mending these relations. Russia has repeatedly signaled its readiness to show the necessary flexibility, but his flexibility has its limits - it is not boundless," he said.
"We welcome the wish of the parliamentarians (from Britain) to talk as the ways out of those difficult situations in which we get involved sometimes can be found only in dialogue.".