Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Russia welcomes U.S. efforts to mediate the conflict with Ukraine but does not overestimate U.S. ability to resolve the crisis.
Peskov's remarks came as high-level U.S. representatives attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum for the first time in nearly a decade.
While Russia sees such diplomatic activity as a positive sign, the Kremlin remains clear-eyed about U.S. intentions and the limits of the influence in the ongoing conflict, according to Peskov.
"We never perceive issues through colored lenses, nor have we ever overrated Washington's ability to definitively solve such a complex issue. Washington pursues its own national interests. We respect that, but we have our own interests as well. At the same time, we welcome Washington's willingness to continue mediating and assisting with the Ukraine issue," Peskov said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) on the sideline of the 29th edition of the Forum.
Peskov said that Russia rejects the U.S. approach of linking economic cooperation with the Ukraine conflict.
"The U.S. side persists in tying everything to the Ukraine issue, prioritizing the Ukraine issue over the development of cooperation (with Russia) in economics, investment, and culture. We think this is the wrong approach. It takes two to tango, and the United States is not yet ready. We are very patient and in no hurry at all. When the U.S. side is truly ready to restore relations, we will respond in kind," he said.
Russia welcomes US mediation, but remains realistic on Ukraine: Peskov
Russia welcomes US mediation, but remains realistic on Ukraine: Peskov
People in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre recalled the horrible scenes of an air strike on Thursday night, saying that the civilians suffer the most in the war.
After the Lebanese and Israeli governments announced a conditional ceasefire, the Israeli military carried out rounds of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, as unresolved disagreements between Israel and Hezbollah continued to stall ceasefire efforts.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported on Friday that Israeli airstrikes hit several locations in southern Lebanon, killing at least 13 people and wounding 15 others.
Ahmad al-Hsein, who runs a restaurant in Tyre, was on the scene when the strike came. He said all the civilian facilities in the area were severely damaged.
"We were here during the air strike, carrying out our humanitarian work, which is a small thing compared with what's happening. We were providing food to the people here, and during the air strike we were here in the restaurant. A civilian facility, a bank, was targeted, and the restaurant, which is also a civilian facility, was affected. There's nothing else. The entire impact was on the area around Jabal Amel Hospital. We don't know what the target was, there’s nothing there. All the wounded are civilians, and the casualties are civilian," he said.
Mahmoud Srour, a displaced from Teir Harfa, helped clear up the debris on the street following the strike.
"The air strike took place at around 22:30. As you can see, the scale of the destruction is immense. They targeted Bank Audi; there's nothing left here, they targeted a bank. The damage is very extensive. This is a civilian area; there are shops and a restaurant, and the bank is located here. Thank God, we were in the shop when the air strike happened, and chaos ensued. Thank God we were not hurt. There were no fatalities here, but there are wounded," he said.
Civilians recall horrible air strike in southern Lebanon
