Peskov Says Lack of Russian-US Dialogue Leads to Growing Tensions

BUENOS AIRES-The lack of dialogue between Moscow and Washington on important issues leads to increasing tensions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday, according to Itar Tass.

Peskov said that among things on the agenda are “pressing issues that should be discussed in the interests not only of the peoples of the two countries, but also of countries in Europe, South-East Asia, the whole world.” “The longer these issues are not discussed, the more tensions they create,” he added.

 The Kremlin spokesman said that journalists have pushed aside more important things by prioritizing reports about the presidents’ handshake. “They shook hands, of course, and greeted each other, but it doesn’t matter at all, this is all secondary, and it shouldn’t get so much attention,” he noted, Tass said.

Russia will not initiate new talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Peskov continued. “[US] President Trump made a decision to postpone the meeting that has already been coordinated. Consequently, we are a rather patient country. Of course, we are waiting for necessary conditions to transpire for the president to change his decision again,” he said.

Trump explained postponement of his meeting with Putin by November 25 incident in the Kerch Strait. On November 25 three warships of the Ukrainian Navy violated the rules of passage through Russia’s territorial waters while en route from the Black Sea to the Azov Sea.

H.M