Serious Conversation Can Only Happen with Washington: A Statement from Russia

The permanent representative of Crimea in the Russian president's administration, Georgy Muradov, has urged countries not to participate in the "destructive propaganda action" and to condemn the organization of the Swiss conference on Ukraine without Russia's involvement.

"The residents of Crimea sincerely hope that countries opposing the aggressive global dominance of the West will not participate in the destructive propaganda actions in Switzerland and will condemn its conduct without Russia's participation," Muradov said to RIA Novosti.

"In Kyiv, we are not negotiating with anyone. The situation is such that a serious conversation can only take place with Washington, which is currently conducting actions to strike strategically significant targets in Russian territory," Muradov stated.

He emphasized that talks with Washington might not concern Ukraine's future so much as the demands Russia presented to the U.S. and NATO in the draft agreements from December 2021.

"These visionary proposals aimed at creating an equal and indivisible security system between Russia and the West could only serve as a basis for restoring peace and a stable situation," noted the permanent representative.