Russia expects contacts to continue toward the resumption of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, answered questions from Indian journalists in Moscow ahead of the BRICS summit, which will be held in New Delhi, the capital of India, on September 12-13.
Peskov said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, special representatives of US President Donald Trump, had held contacts in Moscow and Kyiv. He said efforts were underway to convey the parties' positions to one another, adding that they hoped to achieve some progress and resume trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine.
Emphasis on a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis
Peskov claimed that Russia was making progress in the war in Ukraine and said Moscow was ready at any time to pursue a peaceful solution. Peskov said Russia had to continue its military operation to achieve its goals, but preferred to reach the same goals through peaceful means and welcomed initiatives to resolve the Ukraine issue.
Peskov recalled that Moscow had previously announced its conditions for ending the war and claimed that Kyiv did not want to end it. Peskov argued that some European countries were provoking Ukraine and said the war could have ended earlier if there had been a government capable of taking responsibility and making difficult decisions.
Peskov said the lifting of sanctions against Russia was on their agenda, but noted that resolving the Ukraine crisis was the priority.
Moscow and India discuss defense
Peskov announced that Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would meet on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. He said the meeting was expected to address the joint production of the Su-57 fighter aircraft by Russia and India.
Peskov said Russia was ready to continue supplying military equipment to India and stressed that its commitments regarding the supply of S-400 air defense systems would be fulfilled. He also said Russia and India had largely similar positions on Ukraine.
Call for free navigation around Iran and in the Strait of Hormuz
Peskov said the situation around Iran was tense and was negatively affecting the global economy. He said they supported freedom of maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz, including for tankers and commercial vessels. Peskov also said they were ready to contribute to improving relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Peskov said they supported establishing security and mutual trust in the region.
Lavrov calls for a political and diplomatic solution
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who was visiting Moscow. Speaking after the meeting, Lavrov said current problems should be resolved through political and diplomatic means within the framework of international law.
Lavrov said the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States in June had been disrupted. He said they supported, together with Saudi Arabia, finding avenues for consensus to resolve disputes and implement the memorandum.
Lavrov said Russia's and the Gulf Cooperation Council's approaches and initiatives on security in the Middle East overlapped. He said they considered it useful to organize a forum to discuss proposals for lasting peace in the region.
Opposition to a military solution in Gaza and Yemen
Lavrov claimed that no progress had been made in the Gaza Strip despite the agreement presented as US President Donald Trump's plan. Lavrov said the agreements reached between Hamas and Israel last year had not been implemented and that a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue would bring lasting peace to all peoples of the region.
Lavrov said the security of all states in the region, including Israel, must be ensured and that this should be achieved through an agreement rather than the use of military force. Lavrov called for the protection of the safety of commercial navigation in the world's seas, including off the coast of Yemen.
Lavrov said the problems in Yemen should be resolved under the auspices of the United Nations through direct dialogue among political forces. He called for the roadmap established between the Yemeni government and the Ansarullah Movement at Saudi Arabia's initiative to serve as the basis.
Lavrov said they shared Saudi Arabia's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and Sudan. He said international initiatives aimed at resolving the problems in these countries should be strengthened, adding that he did not consider the Houthis' attacks on areas in southern Saudi Arabia constructive and that they did not accept resolving problems through military means.
Saudi Arabia accuses the Houthis
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan argued that the Houthis in Yemen put their own interests ahead of those of the Yemeni people and preferred to use force to achieve their goals.
Bin Farhan said his country continued to pursue proposals for a peaceful solution and that they had observed initiatives aimed at increasing tensions in Yemen. He claimed that the Houthis were provoking the Yemeni government and the international community, adding that the diplomatic process had not ended and that they would continue working for regional stability.
