Moscow: Open to talks with the US on nuclear risks, but also include Ukraine

2024-06-21 22:36:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Moscow: Open to talks with the US on nuclear risks, but also include Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Source, Reuters

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Russia is "ready" for talks on security issues with the United States, but added that they must include the conflict in Ukraine, specifically what he called "direct engagement." ” of the United States there.

During the regular press conference, spokesman Peskov said that dialogue between the United States and Russia "is very necessary" due to "numerous problems related to the global security architecture."

Mr. Peskov made these comments in response to a question about the possibility of talks with the United States about nuclear risks despite the conflict in Ukraine.

The White House announced Thursday that it will put Ukraine at the top of a list to supply it with powerful air defense missiles after Russian missile and drone attacks damaged the power grid across the country overnight.

White House Homeland Security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that hundreds of newly manufactured Patriot and NASAMS missiles — used for surface-to-air defense — will be sent to Ukraine before they are given to other countries. ordered them, citing Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, during a visit to Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned South Korea on Friday against sending weapons to Ukraine.

Senior South Korean officials said Thursday that the agreement signed this week between Russia and North Korea in which the two countries pledge to defend each other in the event of war poses "a great risk" and that Seoul is considering the possibility to send weapons to Ukraine in response, which marks a reversal of the previous policy of not giving weapons to countries engaged in conflicts.

Mr Putin responded on Friday by saying South Korea had no reason to worry about Russia's treaty with North Korea, but added that if Seoul sent weapons to Ukraine it would be "a very big mistake." He added, "if you do that, then we will make certain decisions that the current South Korean leaders will not like at all."

Ukraine responded to Russian attacks on Friday with an attack on oil refineries, radars and intelligence centers in southern parts of Russia and occupied Crimea.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian army announced that Ukrainian forces attacked a fuel and chemical depot in Russia's Tambov region, as well as an oil depot in Adygea.

According to Russian reports, one person was killed in the attacks. Russian officials claimed to have destroyed 114 Ukrainian drones.

Ukraine's energy grid under attack

Ukraine's electricity supplier Ukrenergo announced on Thursday that the Russian attack on the thermal power plant caused serious damage. Three employees were injured during it.

"Equipment in Vinistia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Kiev have been damaged," Ukrenergo announced in a statement.

On Wednesday, Ukrenergo announced that regular one-hour reductions in electricity would be implemented across the country. Russian drone and missile attacks have halved Ukraine's electricity production capacity compared to last year, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy./ VOA