Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov considers President Volodymyr Zelensky’s readiness to discuss a neutral status for Ukraine “a movement towards the positive.”
Earlier on Friday, the Ukrainian leader said he was prepared to discuss the possibility of neutrality for Ukraine with Russia, but on condition of securing “third-party guarantees.” However, he expressed doubts that any third countries would provide Kiev with such guarantees, as Ukraine is not a NATO member and “everybody is afraid.”
Peskov responded to Zelensky’s remarks, telling journalists that his preparedness for negotiations about neutrality is “a movement towards the positive,” and that the Kremlin would now have to analyze the statement.
Peskov’s comments appear much more restrained than recent remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Following his meeting with officials from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics on Friday, the country’s top diplomat said Zelensky “is, to say it simply, lying, when he declares that he is ready to discuss the neutral status.”
“The opportunities missed by President Zelensky are well known, so there is no need to shift the blame to others,” Lavrov said.
He added that, by “freeing Ukraine from militarism and neo-Nazism” through its military operation, Russia was aiming to provide Ukrainians with the opportunity “to determine their own future without any pressure from outside.”
The offensive, which was launched on Thursday following an order by Vladimir Putin, has prompted international outrage with the British foreign minister calling the Russian government “an international pariah.” The widespread condemnation of the “unprovoked” attack has caused a new wave of sanctions against Russia and cancellations of various sports and cultural events, both Russia-based and Russia-related.