Kremlin calls G-20's final declaration 'victory of common sense'

MOSCOW

The Kremlin on Thursday called the final declaration of the recently concluded G-20 summit in Indonesia "victory of common sense."

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the G-20 could have ended without any final declaration for the first time in history, but "the blind aggressiveness" of the West was "neutralized" and a compromise reached.

Peskov added that Russia plans to continue its work with the Group of Twenty, terming it the most effective platform to solve existing global problems.

At the end of the two-day Bali summit on Wednesday, the G-20 issued a final declaration, which, besides other matters, said "most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy."

It added: "There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. Recognizing that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, ​​​​​​​we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy."

Commenting on remarks by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold peace talks with Russia publicly, Peskov said there is no such thing as "public talks."

"It is difficult to imagine public talks at all. There are no public talks. Especially public talks in such an area. But one thing is unequivocal: the Ukrainian side does not want any talks ... the special military operation continues, its goals must be achieved."

"Any talks have a purpose. Our goals are well known, and these goals can be achieved either through a special military operation or through negotiations. Russia is open to both (options)," he stressed.

About the US calls for peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, Peskov said Washington could support its words with deeds, and, having an influence on Kyiv, make it "more negotiable."

Asked if Moscow considers the possible use of nuclear weapons, Peskov said: "From the Russian side no one ponders or pondered about this topic. This topic is discussed in European capitals, thereby escalating tensions in a completely impermissible, unacceptable, potentially dangerous sphere."

To a question about the indefinite extension of the Istanbul grain deal, which has been renewed for another 120 days, the official said there was no such option at the table.

On comments that Russia was ultimately responsible for the missile landing in the Polish village of Przewodow that killed two people and sparked fears of an escalation since it started its military campaign, Peskov said by that logic the US and NATO are to blame because had they taken into account Russia's security concerns, Moscow would not have initiated the operation in February.

"If the US and NATO had stopped the Kyiv regime, given guarantees that it (Kyiv) would not attack the population in two independent republics with heavy artillery and tanks, there would have been no need for a special military operation," he said.