Ukraine peace talks without Russia “absurd,” says Peskov

“The idea of discussing Ukraine-related issues without Russia at this summit is absurd,” Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, dismissing the future of the peace conference on Ukraine that Switzerland will host.

Peskov made these remarks to Russian journalists in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, regarding the Ukraine issue.

Referring to the peace conference on Ukraine scheduled for June 15 and 16 under Switzerland’s auspices, Peskov said, “There is no future for this conference in terms of finding solutions to the Ukraine issue. The notion of discussing Ukraine-related issues without Russia at this summit is absurd.”

Regarding the claim that a conference with Russia’s participation on solving the Ukraine issue would be held in Saudi Arabia, Peskov said that this was not planned.

Peskov also commented on NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement that “Ukraine should have the right to strike Russian territories with the supplied weapons,” calling it “irresponsible and provocative.”

Spokesperson Peskov added, “Western military rhetoric is becoming dominant. We should take precautions and continue with special military operations.”