Russia has declared that the United Kingdom is not qualified to mediate in the Ukrainian conflict, accusing London of openly taking sides.
President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia does not regard the UK as a neutral party due to its unilateral stance.
“To effectively mediate, one must maintain an equal distance from all parties involved in the conflict.
“Given its obvious alignment, London neither qualifies nor can play such a role,” Peskov said on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Read Also: Canadians Elected Me To Stand Up To Trump – Mark Carney
The Kremlin spokesman, however, noted that London has never actively pursued the role of intermediary.
Peskov also commented on the ceasefire Russia initiated during Easter, as well as the forthcoming ceasefire to be observed during the three-day holiday next week.
The objective, he explained, is to assess Kyiv’s willingness to engage in efforts aimed at achieving lasting and stable peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Peskov added that he has no information regarding media reports claiming that United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to visit Russia on 9th May.
World leaders and diplomats are expected to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.
The Russian government has accused President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being too forthcoming regarding negotiations on a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, said that, in contrast, Moscow has maintained decorum because details of peace talks should not be made public.
In an interview with Face the Nation on CBS, Lavrov declined to confirm whether Moscow is satisfied with the terms of the agreement on the Ukrainian settlement.
“We are really polite people, and unlike some others, we never discuss in public what is being discussed in negotiations,” he stated.
The minister said anyone interested in knowing the substance of the ongoing discussions should “go to Zelenskyy.”
“He is happy to talk to anybody through the media, even to President Trump,” Lavrov added.
The top diplomat, however, confirmed that negotiations continue and that until they are concluded, “we cannot disclose what they are about.”
Lavrov said Russia is making and considering proposals on the settlement process, assuring that the public will be informed of its position in due course.
