AGI – “Russia has no preconceived and hostile intentions towards anyone and is open to constructive partnership with all countries”. Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured that Russia will “isolate itself from no one” and open up to the world again. The head of the Kremlin gave a speech during the ceremony of handing over the credentials of the new ambassadors in Moscow. He stated that Russia “in favor of building relations with the United States based on the principles of equality and non-interference in internal affairs“.
Wladimir Putin
The EU “initiated” the “geopolitical confrontation” with Russia, Putin adds, turning to the new EU ambassador in Moscow, Frenchman Roland Galharague. In a speech in the Kremlin, Putin complained that relations with the EU, an ally of Ukraine, “have deteriorated drastically in recent years.”
The Russian leader also returned to talk about the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. “The situation in the new regions of the Russian Federation remains tense“. Comments repeated by agencies such as RIA Novosti. “I will ask Deputy Prime Minister Marat Shakirzyanovich Khusnullin to report on what work has already been done and what remains to be done” in these four Ukrainian regions, which last year from Moscow were annexed.
Finally, Putin accused Western intelligence agencies of involvement in “terrorist” attacks in Russia, three days after the death of a famous military blogger in an attack in St. Petersburg. “There is every reason to believe that armed forces of third countries and Western special services are involved in the preparation of acts of sabotage and terror both in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia,” Putin said at a session of the Security Council of the Russian Federation broadcast on television.
Openings in Kyiv
Kiev is ready to discuss Crimea’s future with Moscow when its forces reach the border of the Russian-held peninsula, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Financial Times.
Andriy Sybiha, deputy head of Zelenskyi’s office, gave the newspaper the clearest declaration of Ukraine’s interest in the talks since the collapse of peace talks with the Kremlin last April.
“If we manage to achieve our strategic goals on the battlefield and if we are on the administrative border with Crimea, we are ready to open a diplomatic site to discuss this issue,” Sybiha said, referring to Kiev’s long-planned counter-offensive. He added: “This does not mean that we exclude the path of liberation through our army“.