Moscow will not retreat from key positions as negotiations with Washington continue.

On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said his country welcomes the diplomatic efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump but will not make concessions in negotiations over a peace plan for Ukraine.

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“There can be no talk of any concessions, of any retreat from our positions on key aspects… including those raised in the context of the special military operation,” he said, while praising “the efforts of the Trump administration in seeking logical solutions and rational outcomes.”

“Various versions of this peace plan are part of the negotiations,” Ryabkov said, adding that Russia’s position has been consistent from the beginning. “That position concerns various aspects of the current situation, focusing largely on the original causes of the crisis we have been facing for a long time.”

Ryabkov referred to the Alaska summit between Trump and President Vladimir Putin as a fundamental starting point. “This is the basis from which we will proceed when we study and negotiate the version that is currently — or will later be — on the table,” he said.

The Russian diplomat called on media outlets “to show the utmost responsibility” amid a flood of reports on different versions of the peace plan and leaks of conversations between representatives of Russia and the United States.

“We are precisely in a period in which we cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into provocations,” Ryabkov said, referring to the negotiations between Russia and the U.S. to improve relations between the two countries.

“There are enough unresolved problems in interaction and dialogue with Washington, but we are prepared to continue the entire bilateral agenda with the understanding that it will be based on respect for Russia’s interests. Despite the declared support of the U.S. government for restoring dialogue with Russia and the apparent progress toward normalizing Russian-U.S. relations, Washington’s actions are quite contradictory,” he pointed out.

Ryabkov added that Washington continues to supply intelligence and weapons to the Kiev regime, though now using European financial resources.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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