24 Feb 2022 15:01

Russia ready to hold talks with Ukraine on its neutral status, refusal to host weapons, if Kyiv is also ready for it - Peskov

MOSCOW. Feb 24 (Interfax) - Russia stands ready to hold negotiations with the leadership of Ukraine on its neutral status and a pledge not to host weapons on its territory, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"The [Russian] president [Vladimir Putin] has aired his vision as regards what we would expect from Ukraine in order to resolve these conceptually 'redline' problems. It is its neutral status and refusal to host weapons," Peskov said.

"And the question here is whether the leadership of Ukraine is ready for it," he said.

When asked whether Russia is ready now to discuss this matter with Ukraine, Peskov said, "If the leadership of Ukraine is ready to speak about it."