Zelensky Doesn't Rule Out Dialogue with Putin, Kremlin: Better Than Fighting to the End

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement about the possibility of negotiations with Moscow is better than rejecting them.

"In general, of course, this is better than statements that any contacts with the Russian side and with the head of the Russian state are excluded," the spokesman said, as reported by TASS on July 22.

According to him, "of course, talking in one tone or another about dialogue is much better than talking about the intention to fight to the last Ukrainian,"

Earlier, in an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky said that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin were possible, despite the decree in force in Ukraine prohibiting such talks.

On July 15, the Ukrainian President also said that Russian representatives should participate in the second conference on resolving the Ukrainian conflict.

"However, we cannot yet judge what exactly is behind these words (President Zelensky's words about the possibility of negotiations), what concrete plans are being discussed, and what actions are being taken in this direction, if the talks are serious," Peskov explained.

He suggested "here we should wait for some concrete actions, if any."

It is known that Russia itself has repeatedly expressed its readiness to negotiate with Ukraine regarding the settlement of the conflict.

Earlier this month, President Putin reiterated Russia's readiness and willingness to negotiate to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, calling for a return to the Istanbul Agreement.

"Russia, as you know, has never rejected peace negotiations and is ready to resume them now," President Putin said.

"It is Ukraine that rejects negotiations and does so openly and on direct instructions from London and Washington," he added, citing rhetoric from Ukrainian officials.

President Putin further said that the 2022 Istanbul Agreement is still “on the table” and could serve as a basis for peace talks with Ukraine.

Last month, President Putin said that Russia is ready to negotiate a settlement of the Ukraine conflict at any time, even if it were tomorrow, but he wants all parties involved to study his peace proposal.