IN BRIEF: Kremlin statements on European Russophobic stance, possible Putin-Trump meet

MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. The possibility of a meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, the Russophobic policies of European countries, and the Ukrainian settlement were the main topics of Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s briefing.

TASS has compiled the key statements made by the Kremlin representative.

On the president’s schedule

- Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting today with government members to consider using the Honest Sign system to clean up the economy.

- The head of state will also discuss current issues with the cabinet of ministers.

- Other meetings and consultations will be of an internal nature.

On the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Trump

- Putin is ready to meet with his US counterpart, but there is no specific information as to the possible timing of such face-to-face contacts: "There is no specific information regarding any high-level meetings. If we are talking about a Russian-American meeting, the president is ready," he said at a briefing.

"Presidents Putin and Trump have indeed always emphasized in their telephone conversations their readiness to hold another meeting at some point if necessary."

- High-level negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, including those between Russia and the United States, will be meaningless without prior preparation at the expert level: "Holding a summit before work has been done at the expert level is impractical -- it will be a waste of time."

On the Russophobic policy of European countries

- The Russophobic policy pursued by some European countries is short-sighted and certainly does not contribute to easing tensions on the continent: "We believe that this is an absolutely short-sighted policy. It in no way brings us nearer to taking steps that could potentially lead to the ease of tensions and de-escalation on the European continent."

- The UK is engaged in fanning Russophobic sentiment, and some European countries, including Germany and France, are actively supporting it: "Stoking Russophobic sentiment and fostering an atmosphere of total Russophobia is what Britain is doing. Now, the Germans, the French, and a number of other European states are doing the same, in lockstep with Britain."

On the Ukrainian settlement

- Western discussions of an energy truce in Ukraine as armaments are being built up in Kiev are purely rhetorical exercises: "Indeed, the militarization of Ukraine continues. European countries are trying to find more money to purchase weapons."

- The Kiev regime continues its terrorist activities, so at present there are no prerequisites for peace negotiations: "The Kiev regime continues its terrorist activities. So far, there are no prerequisites for moving towards a peaceful track of negotiations."

- Russia remains open to negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement: "We, as the Russian side, remain open to peace talks."

- The Kremlin’s stance on a meeting between Putin and Vladimir Zelensky remains unaltered: "Our position is well known if we speak about a [possible] meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Putin said that Zelensky can come to Moscow if he wants to. He will be provided with security guarantees and he knows very well what decisions must be made."

- Zelensky knows well which decisions he needs to make to resolve the conflict around Ukraine: "He is perfectly aware what decisions should be made."

Regarding the fate of Russian bases in Syria:

- Moscow keeps in touch with Damascus on the fate of its bases in Syria; it is satisfied with the progress of the discussions and hopes that it will continue to be possible to reach an understanding on the most difficult issues: "We maintain contacts with the Syrian side. We are satisfied with the way of the discussion. And we believe we will continue to see eye to eye with our Syrian counterparts on the most complicated issues."