Russia says dialogue possible if West ready for constructive talks

Russia remains open to negotiations on Ukraine provided Western countries adopt a constructive and mature approach, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has said.

Speaking to TASS, he noted that Russia has repeatedly demonstrated this intention, Caliber.Az reports.

“It was the other side, Ukraine, that walked away from the talks, at times withdrawing from them and at other times banning them itself. To put it very mildly, its conduct has been inconsistent," Galuzin stressed.

According to the deputy foreign minister, prospects for dialogue will emerge if the West recognises the need for an honest and constructive process aimed at addressing what Moscow describes as the root causes of the conflict.

"If the West has come to understand the need for an honest, constructive dialogue aimed at eliminating the well-known root causes of the conflict, then prospects for dialogue will probably emerge," he remarked.

In his words, if there is no such readiness on the other side, and if there is no willingness to ensure that Kyiv complies with what its Western allies agreed with Russia, then Russia will continue the 'special military operation.'

“We will continue addressing the root causes of the conflict and defending our interests by military means, acting precisely and effectively to minimise destruction and protect our people on both sides of the line of contact," Galuzin emphasised.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov