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Russia was ready for security talks but West seemed unwilling, Kremlin spokesman says

When asked if relations with the West had passed the point of no return, the Russian presidential spokesman answered in the affirmative

MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. Russia was making serious preparations for security talks before launching its special military operation but the West wasn’t ready to engage in them, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Izvestia.

"Definitely, serious preparations were made though the situation was unfolding rather quickly. We had engaged political heavy hitters from all sides and everyone was ready for talks but the West wasn’t, they just did not want it," Peskov said.

When asked if relations with the West had passed the point of no return, the Russian presidential spokesman answered in the affirmative. According to him, the situation radically changed when Russia - even before the launch of the special military operation - heard of the other party’s unwillingness to engage in dialogue in response to the security proposals that had been sent to the US and NATO in late 2021.

"Had they wanted to, they would have come to the negotiating table, they would have done it. There would have been very difficult trench negotiations, with the parties sometimes taking irreconcilable positions, but talks would have been underway. However, they refused," Peskov concluded.

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