(Reuters) – A key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow would not stop its military action in Ukraine, even if Kiev formally abandons its bids to join NATO.
Former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, also said in an interview with a French television channel that Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy under certain conditions.
Even before the February invasion, Moscow had made it clear that Ukraine’s entry into NATO was unacceptable.
“It is now vital to renounce membership in the North Atlantic alliance, but it is already insufficient to establish peace,” Medvedev told the LCI channel in quotes quoted by Russian news agencies.
Russia has said it will continue the campaign until its goals are met. Putin said he wanted to “denature” Ukraine. Kyiv and the West claim that this is a baseless excuse for a war of conquest.
Russia and Ukraine held several rounds of negotiations after the invasion began, but no progress has been made and there is little hope for the resumption of negotiations.
“This (negotiations) will depend on how things will develop. We (Zelensky) were ready to meet in advance,” Medvedev said. said.
(reported by Ronald Popesk)
source: Noticias
