MOSCOW, October 23. /TASS/. The possibility of European participation in talks on a settlement in Ukraine, the European security framework and the "diesel deal" were the main subjects of a briefing by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday.
TASS has summarized the key statements by the Kremlin spokesman.
On talks on Ukraine
- Talks on a settlement in Ukraine are set to be held in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November. "[The talks] are scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi."
- Talks scheduled for Abu Dhabi in November are planned in a trilateral format involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine. "Nothing can be ruled out in advance. But the talks we are discussing, which are scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, will be held in a trilateral format."
- The question of involving a special envoy from the European Union in talks on a settlement in Ukraine depends on the position Brussels adopts. "It depends on the position from which Europeans might take part in this process."
- Trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi will focus on ensuring the security of Russia and Ukraine after peace is achieved. "Indeed, the [Russian] president has outlined the key issue of the negotiations and it concerns security issues for the two countries - Russia and Ukraine - but only after a peaceful settlement has been achieved."
On the importance of security
- Security for Russia and Ukraine is "one of the most important elements of reaching a peace settlement; without it, a comprehensive solution will be impossible. This is why it is such a very serious topic for discussion."
- While it would be impossible to discuss the European security architecture without European participants, such discussions will begin with trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. "Obviously, it would be impossible to discuss the European security architecture without other participants, but these discussions will begin with trilateral talks [between Russia, the United States and Ukraine]."
On the diesel deal
- The Russian Energy Ministry has already reported that the first tanker carrying Russian diesel has set sail for the United States, and further shipments will continue regularly. "I believe the Energy Ministry has already reported that the first tanker has indeed set off for its intended recipients, its buyers. Further shipments will continue regularly."
On a possible meeting between Putin, Trump and Xi Jinping
- While potential talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Donald Trump of the United States and Xi Jinping of China could be important, they would not replicate the Big Three meeting that addressed issues of the world order during World War II. "Clearly, the whole world is looking forward to a potential meeting and clearly, it would be an extremely important meeting as the leaders of countries such as Russia, China and the United States would get together, but let’s not forget that our vision of the world order is essentially that nobody imposes any world order on anyone."
On Hubbard’s release
- The Kremlin dismissed information from US sources that Stephen Hubbard, a US national convicted in Russia for fighting alongside the Ukrainian armed forces, was effectively released in exchange for Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Rybar project, rather than as a goodwill gesture. "That is not true."