Kiev interprets decisions made in U.S., other NATO countries as signal to continue war - Peskov
MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax) - Kiev interprets decisions on Ukraine made in Washington and other capitals of NATO countries as a signal for continuing the war rather than seeking peace, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
"It looks like such decisions made in Washington, in [other] NATO countries, and in Brussels itself are interpreted by the Ukrainian side not as a signal for peace but a signal for continuing the war," Peskov told journalists on Tuesday.
Moscow stands ready to continue talks with Kiev amid reports that Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who also headed the Ukrainian negotiating team, is about to step down from his post.
Journalists asked Peskov on Tuesday how he believed Umerov leaving his office might affect the talks.
"Well, it's hard to say. We haven't received messages as to when a third round could be held, and it's hard to say why. We're ready to continue the dialogue. Washington wants to see this dialogue, and Europe also supposedly wants to see it. Although, judging by some statements, Europe actually wants to see more intensive military actions rather than transition to peace. But Kiev is silent [on the matter]," Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman has denied claims of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the Russian delegation to negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul has an insufficient level of representation.Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky led the Russian delegation, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was his Ukrainian counterpart.
"Medinsky is a presidential aide, which, according to the table of seniority, is a position higher than a federal minister," Peskov told the press, as he commented on Rutte's statement regarding the Russian delegation in Istanbul.
"I mean that by our table of ranks, he [Medinsky] is higher than the one who leads the Ukrainian delegation," Peskov said.
