Russia: Our talk about readiness for negotiations regarding Ukraine does not mean making concessions

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov confirmed today, Thursday, that the Russian diplomacy's talk about readiness for negotiations regarding Ukraine does not mean openness to making concessions.

Sputnik news agency quoted Alimov as saying during a press conference today: "When we talk about our readiness for negotiations, it does not mean, so to speak, that our diplomacy is inclined to abandon positions or rush into making concessions." In this context, he stated that Russia does not close the door to dialogue with Western countries, pointing out the failure of all attempts to impose international isolation on it.

He added: "There is no isolation, and there will be no isolation; we have many friends and like-minded people who communicate with us with joy, interest, and willingness, and they will continue to do so. We are not closing ourselves off from dialogue with Western countries."

He explained: "Even the countries that lead campaigns to isolate Russia and accuse us of various misdeeds have worked hard behind the scenes to request meetings and participation."

He pointed out that discussions took place even with representatives of countries that adopt a tough stance, explaining that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made more than 40 bilateral calls during the week of high-level General Assembly meetings.