The Kremlin rejects Biden’s terms for talks with Putin

On Friday, reporters asked Peskov to comment on Biden’s statement on possible talks with Putin.

“What did President Biden actually say? He said that negotiations will be possible only after Putin leaves Ukraine,” Peskov said.

Journalists ask him to confirm the thesis that “the Kremlin is not ready for this.”

“Yes, undeniably. The special military operation continues,” the Kremlin press secretary assured.

Putin will continue to “be open to contacts, negotiations” to protect Russia’s interests, Peskov said.

However, he recalled that the United States does not recognize the occupied areas of Ukraine, which Moscow has declared its own, as Russian territory.

“Naturally, this greatly complicates the search for a basis that would be possible for a joint discussion,” said the Kremlin representative.

Biden said Thursday, for the first time since Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine, that he is willing to talk to Putin if he really wants to end the war.

“I am ready to talk to Putin if he really shows interest, which shows that he is looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done it so far,” Biden said at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.