MINSK, 1 August (BelTA) - Russia hopes that the negotiations with Ukraine will continue, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he took questions from journalists during a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on Valaam Island, BelTA learned.
Vladimir Putin, when answering a question about how he assesses the progress and prospects of negotiations with Ukraine, noted that negotiations are always needed and important. "Especially if this is about peace. I assess [the negotiations] generally positively. How can you assess it differently when hundreds of people have returned to their homeland? This is a good thing," he emphasized.
The Russian leader recalled that, for humanitarian reasons, Russia has transferred thousands of bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers and received in return several dozen bodies of Russian servicemen. “Is this not positive? Of course, this is positive," Vladimir Putin added.
Vladimir Putin, when answering a question about how he assesses the progress and prospects of negotiations with Ukraine, noted that negotiations are always needed and important. "Especially if this is about peace. I assess [the negotiations] generally positively. How can you assess it differently when hundreds of people have returned to their homeland? This is a good thing," he emphasized.
The Russian leader recalled that, for humanitarian reasons, Russia has transferred thousands of bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers and received in return several dozen bodies of Russian servicemen. “Is this not positive? Of course, this is positive," Vladimir Putin added.
"Russia expects that the negotiation process with Ukraine will continue," the Russian president stated. However, he noted, peaceful resolution requires thorough talks: “Behind the doors. This needs to be done quietly, in the quiet of the negotiation process. This is why we suggested forming three groups.”
Commenting on Ukraine's response, the Russian leader described it as generally positive. The parties agreed to hold such negotiations “without political grandstanding, in a calm manner” and to seek compromise. Although the working groups for negotiations have not yet begun their work, Moscow views Kiev's initial response as positive, Vladimir Putin noted.
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