Mechanisms for Ukrainian settlement being searched for, cautious optimism emerges - Peskov
MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Talks on settling the Ukrainian crisis are being held actively at different levels and cautious optimism has emerged, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"Negotiations are being held actively at different levels and efforts are being made now to find mechanisms for resolving the domestic Ukrainian crisis," Peskov said in an interview with the KP radio station.
This is "a good fact, comforting occurrence," he said.
At the same time, Peskov did not comment on the format in which these talks could continue.
"Firstly, it is probably necessary to assume the conclusion, which [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov made following his contacts in Berlin [where foreign ministers of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine met on August 17], that certain progress exists. So cautious optimism has emerged but it is unknown how the situation will develop in future and it is not wanted to jump ahead," Peskov said.
Peskov said it was premature to answer the question whether a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko could take place. "Higher-level talks are held after they are well prepared," he said.