Kremlin Appreciates Countries Offering Mediation: Important To Make Ukraine More Cooperative

Juru bicara Kremlin Dimitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/Press Service of the President of Russia)

JAKARTA - Moscow thanks all countries that offer mediation in negotiations with Kiev, but it is important not only to choose a meeting place.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Another thing that is no less important is to make Ukraine more cooperative. This is intended to achieve peace between the two countries.

A month into the Russian invasion of Ukraine which began on February 24, the intensity of the attacks between the two countries has increased, causing the number of refugees, injured and dead to continue to rise, including children.

"Actually, someone who can (do this) should use their influence in Kiev to make Kiev more cooperative, more constructive in these talks," Peskov said.

"The choice of the venue for some of the hypothetical meetings is a secondary issue, although, of course, we are grateful to all countries that expressed their willingness to help with this negotiation process," Peskov continued.

Earlier, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said his country was ready to act as a mediator, at talks on a Ukraine settlement or host negotiations. He said, "Switzerland has a neutrality and a tradition of humanity".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the RBC TV channel on March 16 that his Swiss counterparts had approached him with a proposal for mediation on talks between Moscow and Kiev.

Previously, Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed their willingness to facilitate the meeting of President Putin and President Zelensky. Recently, President Erdogan referred to Ankara or Istanbul as the meeting location.

Recently, Israel and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also offered to host Russian-Ukrainian talks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling Jerusalem the right place to find peace.