Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Friday said Moscow was "prepared to sit in a trilateral format" for talks to resolve ongoing conflict with Ukraine. His statement comes at a time when multiple efforts are being made to resolve the Russia-Ukraine dispute and achieve lasting peace.
Alipov also said the current US administration, in comparison with its predecessors, was showing the "right signs" to stop of the conflict. He was speaking at the India Today Conclave.
Asked about US President Donald Trump recently announcing his intention to end the conflict, the envoy sought to draw the broader contours of the position from Russia's perspective.
"I will put it simply, came Trump, and said -- 'I want a peace deal'. US officials approached us and we had a very good meeting in Saudi Arabia, and we saw that Americans now are prepared to not only listen but also hear. And, we also see (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and we also see Ukraine, and we also see the Europeans, who continue on that belligerent path. They are speaking about the need for Russia to withdraw, they are speaking about security guarantees, for which NATO membership would be the best option," Alipov said.
Alipov said they are talking about "remilitaristation of Europe" and recently had a meeting. "Why should we accept these conditions? Plainly speaking, we can go without any peaceful negotiations, we are winning this war, yet we are prepared for the peace deal. We are willing to go fast on this track but the stumbling block is Europe and Ukraine at the moment, it seems. Personally, I don't think the process will go fast," he argued.
On the second Trump administration, the Russian envoy said, "Obviously, the approach of the current US administration, in comparison to its predecessors, is showing the right signs to stop the conflict in Europe."
Asked if Russia was ready for a meeting between Trump and President Vladmir Putin, he said, "We are ready for that." He also made a reference to the recent meeting in the Oval Office between Trump and Zelenskyy.
"Zelenskyy was not prepared for a quick process when he went to Washington. Now, he says he is prepared for that," he said.
Is Putin prepared to meet Zelenskyy?
Asked if Putin was prepared to meet Zelenskyy, the envoy said, "Of course, I believe so."
"The Americans regard him (Zelenskyy) as a legitimate President, I believe, we do not. Yet, we are prepared to sit in a trilateral format.
We are prepared for that," he said.
On what role Russia was expecting India to play, the ambassador said, "We do not expect anything from India in this regard."
