WASHINGTON, May 25. Russia considers statements by US administration officials about Moscow’s “lack” of readiness for peace negotiations with Ukraine is an attempt to turn the situation “upside down,” said Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov.
«We consider statements by representatives of the US administration about Russia's alleged lack of readiness for peace negotiations with Ukraine as a deliberate attempt to turn everything upside down.» There can be no talk of any «freezing» of the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin is nothing like that didn’t say,” Antonov told the American magazine Newsweek.
At the same time, the diplomat added that any possible Russian-Ukrainian agreements should take into account the situation “on the ground.” “Retreat or withdrawal of the RF Armed Forces to hypothetical dividing lines is excluded. Let us remind you: there is a Constitution of Russia. The borders of our state, which include new subjects of the federation, are clearly marked there,” Antonov emphasized.
In this regard, the ambassador quoted a statement by President Putin, who had previously stated that Russia needs tangible and legally enshrined “on paper” security guarantees.