Russia has announced that it is ready to consider new ideas from the United States in the search for a solution in Ukraine. Aleksey Fadeyev, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of Information and Press, said the process must take Moscow’s legitimate interests into account.
Fadeyev said the Russian side had previously expressed this position and accepted the US proposal. He reiterated that Moscow was ready to discuss the ideas if US negotiators came forward with concrete and constructive proposals.
Moscow seeks consideration of its security interests
The Russian diplomat said Russia’s security interests must be fully taken into account when the parameters of a future solution are determined.
Fadeyev also argued that Washington’s rhetoric on the Ukraine negotiations had changed. He said the situation gave the impression that the US side was demanding new steps from Moscow instead of pursuing cooperation within a common framework.
Russia advocates a political and diplomatic solution
Fadeyev said Russia preferred political and diplomatic means and argued that Moscow could achieve its goals under any circumstances. He said escalating tensions by strengthening the Ukrainian army’s military capabilities was harmful and could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Fadeyev called on all parties, including the United States, to focus on efforts for a political and diplomatic solution. The Russian official said they opposed Western countries’ continued support for Ukraine with weapons and military equipment and that this support should end.
He addressed the Lavrov-Rubio meeting in Manila
Fadeyev said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed Moscow’s position during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on July 23.
The Russian diplomat also reiterated Russia’s accusations that the Ukrainian administration had carried out actions against civilians and civilian infrastructure using Western weapons.
