In an interview on The World With Yalda Hakim, Andrei Kelin accused the UK, France and different European nations of not wanting to finish the struggle in Ukraine.
“We are prepared to negotiate and to talk,” he mentioned. “We have our position. If we can strike a negotiated settlement… we need a very serious approach to that and a very serious agreement about all of that – and about security in Europe.”
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Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin speaks to Yalda Hakim
US President Donald Trump held a shock telephone name along with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin final month, surprising America’s European allies. He went on to name Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” and relations between the pair have been left in tatters after a gathering within the Oval Workplace descended right into a shouting match.
Days later, the US chief suspended navy assist to Ukraine, although there have been indicators the connection between the 2 leaders gave the impression to be on the mend following the contentious White Home assembly final week, with Mr Trump saying he “appreciated” a letter from Mr Zelenskyy saying Kyiv was able to signal a minerals settlement with Washington “at any time”.
“He knows history and is very different from European leaders,” he added.
Little question Russia is welcoming shift in world order
I’ve interviewed the Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, on a variety of events, at occasions the dialog has been tense and heated.
However at the moment, I discovered a diplomat filled with confidence and cautiously optimistic.
The optics in fact have immediately modified in Russia’s favour since Donald Trump was elected.
I requested him if Russia could not imagine its luck. “I would not exaggerate this too much,” he quipped.
Mr Kelin additionally “categorically” dominated out European troops on the bottom and mentioned the flurry of diplomatic exercise and summits over the course of the previous few weeks will not be as a result of Europeans wish to discuss to Moscow however as a result of they wish to current one thing to Mr Trump.
He appeared to relish the cut up the world is witnessing in transatlantic relations.
In fact the ambassador remained cagey in regards to the conversations which have taken place between President Trump and Vladimir Putin.
There isn’t any doubt nevertheless that Russia is welcoming what Mr Kelin says is a shift on the planet order.
Peace deal ‘ought to recognise Russian advances’
The Russian ambassador mentioned Moscow had instructed Washington it believed its territorial advances in Ukraine “should be recognised” as a part of any peace deal.
“What we will need is a new Ukraine as a neutral, non-nuclear state,” he mentioned. “The territorial situation should be recognised. These territories have been included in our constitution and we will continue to push that all forces of the Ukrainian government will leave these territories.”
Requested if he thought the People would agree to offer occupied Ukrainian land to Russia, he mentioned: “I don’t think we have discussed it seriously. [From] what I have read, the Americans actually understand the reality.”
Moscow guidelines out NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine
He mentioned Russia “categorically ruled out” the prospect of NATO peacekeepers on the bottom in Ukraine – a proposal made by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron – saying “they have no rules of engagement” and so would simply be “sitting in cities”.
“It’s senseless” and “not for reality,” Mr Kelin added.
He branded the momentary ceasefire raised by Mr Zelenskyy “a crazy idea”, and mentioned: “We will never accept it and they perfectly are aware of that.
“We’ll solely settle for the ultimate model, when we’re going to signal it. Till then issues are very shaky.”
He added: “We’re looking for a decision on the battlefield, till the US administration counsel one thing constructive.”
