No breakthroughs should be expected from Putin-Biden talks - Peskov

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden have been arranged at a very difficult moment, but no breakthroughs should be expected from them, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"We shouldn't expect any breakthroughs from this conversation. This is a working conversation taking place at a very difficult moment. The escalation of tensions in Europe is unprecedented. It is extraordinary. Of course, this requires personal contact at the summit level," Peskov said at a press briefing in response to a question in what case the Russian-U.S. virtual summit can be called successful.

"The very fact of communication between the presidents is good," he said.

The recent U.S. statements on the possibility of additional restrictions against Russia have not affected Putin's attitude before the talks, Peskov said.

"There have been plenty of media hoaxes, leaks, etc. We can see escalating tensions in rhetoric. Presidents never speak from a place of emotion. They always speak de facto and based on their national interests," he said.