Peskov confirms Abramovich's involvement in organization of Russian-Ukrainian talks

MOSCOW. March 24 (Interfax) - The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian businessman Roman Abramovich was involved in the organization of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian talks at the initial stage.

"Indeed, he [Abramovich] was involved at the initial stage" in the organization of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday, when asked to either confirm or deny Abramovich's involvement in preparing the Russian-Ukrainian talks and answer whether this is the reason why the United States has not put him on its sanctions list.

Replying whether Abramovich is continuing to be somehow involved in the Russian-Ukrainian talks, Peskov said, "The negotiations are currently being held between the two negotiating teams, a Russian and a Ukrainian one."