Grigory Karasin, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, said the possibility of trilateral talks between Moscow, Washington and Kiev remains open.
Karasin told Lenta.ru that the parties should look beyond the immediate future and consider longer-term prospects. Referring to remarks made by the Russian president at the Valdai forum, he said such a format remains possible and could become more realistic over time.
According to Karasin, one of the main conditions for such contacts would be an end to what he described as aggressive rhetoric from the West and Ukraine toward Russia. He expressed hope that Moscow’s opponents would change their approach and said trilateral contacts could return to the agenda if hostile statements subside.
On September 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Kiev authorities were themselves obstructing the resumption of talks aimed at settling the conflict. According to him, Ukraine says it is ready for peace and dialogue while at the same time taking steps that make negotiations impossible.