Russian president blames Europe for dismal relations

Moscow [Russia], January 16: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday lamented the poor state of relations with Europe, while placing the blame squarely on European countries.
Speaking at the Kremlin during a ceremony to receive the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors, Putin said the condition of Russia's bilateral ties with European states "leaves much to be desired."
Ambassadors from France, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were among those formally taking up their posts in Moscow.
"Dialogue and contacts - and I want to stress this is not through our fault - have been reduced to a minimum, both at the state level and among economic and civil society circles," Putin said. He added that he hoped a path back to constructive relations could eventually be found.
Putin did not mention that Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered the breakdown in relations.
He said Moscow was seeking a lasting peace in Ukraine but claimed that "not everyone - including in Kiev and the capitals that support it - is ready for this."
Until that changes, he said, Russia would continue to pursue its objectives.
Putin also welcomed the ambassador of Afghanistan's Taliban government, saying Russia was interested in seeing Afghanistan become "a united, independent and peaceful state, free from war, terrorism and drug trafficking."
In July, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's rule.
The Kremlin hopes that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow for talks on ending the war in Ukraine soon.
The Russian state news agency TASS reported on Thursday that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that dialogue with the US side is continuing.
"As soon as the dates have been agreed, we hope this visit will take place," Peskov was quoted by TASS as saying.
He added that it is important that the Russian side also presents its view on these consultations, as there have been many talks with Russia's involvement.
Special envoy Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Kushner travelled to Moscow in early December for talks with Russian President Vladimir
Putin.
At that time, the focus was on a US plan to end Russia's war against Ukraine, which has been going on for almost four years.
Since then, there have been several meetings between US representatives, Ukraine and the Europeans, including in Berlin.
Moscow has so far insisted on its maximum demands, which amount to the subjugation of Ukraine.
Source: Qatar Tribune