Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is open to new proposals to end the war in Ukraine, but any offers must reflect reality, Reuters reported.
In an interview published by News.ru on the 21st of August, Ryabkov said the United States was demonstrating its readiness for constructive dialogue and understanding of Russia’s position. He said the key issue now was how much the United States could influence the decisions of “the Kiev regime and its sponsors in Europe, who still dream of Russia’s strategic defeat.” Talks between Russia and the United States on peace in Ukraine have virtually ground to a halt after U.S. and Israeli strikes triggered a war in Iran.
The Kremlin said on the 20th of August that it had no information on when the next visit to Moscow by US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner might take place. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in July after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Washington was committed to helping end the war, but warned that a solution would not be quick and that Moscow was trying to find a compromise.
Ryabkov said that Russia was ready to listen to Rubio’s ideas and was open to constructive talks.
After almost four and a half years of hostilities, Russia has occupied about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Moscow regularly says it is ready for talks, but that they must reflect reality.
The deputy foreign minister also said in an interview that Russia wants to hold discussions with the USSR on nuclear weapons. The previous nuclear treaty expired in February, leaving the world’s two largest nuclear powers without any agreement on the use of their strategic arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.
Moscow has said it will continue to abide by the terms of the treaty and the number of warheads allowed, as long as Washington does the same.
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