Kremlin sees no breakthroughs in negotiations with Kiev
The positive thing is that the Ukrainian side has started to formulate and put its proposals on paper, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted
MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. Moscow can’t state anything very promising or any breakthroughs. There’s still a very long way to go, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.
"Firstly, my colleague [Russia’s chief negotiator, Presidential Aide Vladimir] Medinsky will elaborate further, today he is going to do it. Secondly, the positive thing is that at least the Ukrainian side has started to formulate and put its proposals on paper. Still, we have not been able to achieve this. This is a positive factor," Peskov said. "Let’s just say, we can’t state anything promising, or any breakthroughs yet, there is still a very, very long way to go."
Focusing on the fact that the talks in Istanbul lasted one day, not two, Peskov added that "the negotiations took place, they ended, the delegations went to their centers to further coordinate and verify positions."
The Kremlin spokesman remained tight-lipped on the details of the past negotiations, in particular Kiev’s proposals on the list of guarantor countries of a possible agreement, as well as on resolving the issue of Crimea and Donbass through non-military means. "We won’t invade Crimea, it is part of the Russian Federation," Peskov replied ironically. "According to our constitution, we can’t discuss the fate of Russian territories or the fate of Russian regions with anyone, that is out of the question.".