Russia agrees to Pope’s call for negotiations

Russian President’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is ready for peaceful negotiations with Ukraine. However, the main obstacle is Kiev’s unwillingness to make peace. He reminded that Zelensky issued a decree banning negotiations with Russia.

“As far as I understand, the pontiff’s statements had a broader context. But in general, the idea he spoke about is quite understandable. He talked about the benefits of negotiations. You know that our president has repeatedly spoken about our readiness and openness to solve our problems through negotiations, and this is the preferred way. But you know that, unfortunately, both the statements of the Pope and the repeated statements of other parties, including ours, all lately encounter absolutely rigid denial from Kiev. They do not allow the possibility of any negotiations,” Peskov said.

Recall, Zelensky responded to the Pope, accusing him of engaging in “virtual mediation between those who want to live and those who want to destroy you.” The Ukrainian president’s statement was very sharp and critical towards the Pontiff. Other Ukrainian officials also criticized the head of the Catholic Church.