MOSCOW, November 5. /TASS/. Thursday’s briefing by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov focused on possible ways to secure Russia’s interests in Ukraine, the diesel deal with the United States and cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in several European countries.
TASS has summarized the key statements by the Kremlin spokesman.
On Putin’s schedule
The Kremlin will announce if Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with visiting Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. "We will let you know in due course and in due time."
There are no specific plans yet for possible contacts between the Russian leader and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but they can be arranged at short notice if necessary. "No, there are no specific plans for these contacts yet, but they can be organized promptly if necessary."
The Kremlin continues to prepare for Putin’s annual Direct Line event. "As you know, arrangements for holding a Direct Line event later this year are underway now. We will give you additional guidance as to the timeframes."
On securing Russia’s interests
Russia is a sovereign state that will safeguard its Ukraine-related interests regardless of the situation in the United States. "Naturally, the safeguarding of Russia’s interests in Ukrainian affairs cannot be contingent upon the state of affairs in the US. Our interests will be upheld in any case. Russia is an absolutely sovereign state."
Russia prefers to secure its interests peacefully, but "this has not been possible so far, which is why the special military operation is underway."
Russia’s interests in Ukraine can be secured peacefully if someone in Kiev is willing to take political responsibility for a settlement. "Russia’s interests will therefore be secured either by military means, through the continuation of the special military operation, or peacefully, if someone in Kiev demonstrates political will and takes political responsibility."
On diesel deal with US
The diesel shipped under the deal will find buyers, despite media reports that tankers carrying fuel to the United States have changed course. "All the diesel will find buyers."
The Kremlin declined to comment on reports claiming the diesel deal with the US had collapsed, citing non-disclosure rules. "We cannot discuss commercial details with you. Commercial details cannot be made public."
There is no reason to link the US congressional election results to reports that tankers carrying Russian diesel have allegedly changed course. "There is no reason to link this to the elections, for sure."
On Russian representatives meeting with US first lady
Russian Ombudswoman Yana Lantratova and Special Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev will represent Russia at a meeting hosted by US First Lady Melania Trump, scheduled for today. "The Russian side will indeed be represented by Lantratova and Dmitriev."
On US midterm elections
US President Donald Trump will continue to exercise his presidential powers and pursue his foreign policy after the congressional elections; everything else is an internal matter for Washington. "President Trump will continue to exercise his presidential powers, and President Trump will continue to pursue his foreign policy. Everything else, from our point of view, is an internal matter for the United States."
On accusations against Russia
Kremlin dismissed allegations that pro-Russian hackers from Z-Pentset and NoName could be behind recent cyberattacks on supermarket refrigerators in a number of European countries as absurd. "These are absurd statements, and, as always, they are not underpinned by any arguments or evidence."
"Unfortunately, such groundless accusations of our country being to blame for everything have been a steady trend across European countries. I insist that these accusations are totally absurd.".