Kremlin Responds to Claim of Baku Meeting
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated at a press briefing on Wednesday, July 22, that they have no information regarding the meeting of Russian and German representatives in Baku previously announced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
"I have no information about this meeting, so I have nothing to tell you"
A day earlier, Aliyev had confirmed at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Russian and German representatives had met in Baku. The Azerbaijani leader stated that they were unaware of the meeting until the report by the British newspaper The Times, but that an investigation confirmed the individuals named in the report were in Baku.
G20 Summit and Russia's Participation
Peskov also spoke about the G20 summit planned to be held in the United States. Emphasizing that Russia would be represented at a high level at the summit, Peskov stated that there was no question of a personal invitation being sent to President Vladimir Putin, that the host country expected the participation of all delegations, and that each country determined its own level of representation.
Russia's Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdiyev had previously stated that the United States, which plans to host the G20 summit in Miami in December, had sent signals indicating interest in the participation of the Russian President.
On EU Sanctions
The Kremlin spokesperson suggested that the new sanctions package prepared by the European Union could directly affect the economic interests of member states. Earlier, a report by the Europe-based Politico, citing sources, had indicated that the 21st sanctions package was facing difficulties due to the possibility of harming the interests of some EU countries.
"So far, these sanctions have indirectly hit Europe, European taxpayers, and businesses, yet they have caused billions of dollars in damage. Now, only sanctions that will directly hit the interests of a number of EU member states remain"
Peskov said this situation was causing disagreements among member states over new restrictions. Reiterating that Russia considers EU sanctions illegal under international law, Peskov argued that there is no such thing as a 'sanctions limit,' and that 'there is no limit to madness either.'
Statements on Ukraine
Touching on the situation in Ukraine, Peskov stated that the ceasefire conditions previously voiced by President Putin are still valid.
"Two years ago, President Putin outlined the basic conditions for stopping the hostilities in a speech to the heads of the Russian Foreign Ministry. All these conditions are still valid today; these parameters are well known throughout the world, including in Kyiv"
Peskov stated that if the Kyiv administration makes a 'responsible decision,' the hostilities could be stopped quickly and serious negotiations could begin. He refrained from commenting on press reports suggesting that Russia's position on territorial issues might change. Saying that it was not appropriate to discuss such details in public, Peskov noted that the reports in the media were largely speculative.
Also touching on the command changes in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Kremlin spokesperson said the upheavals pointed to internal processes within the Kyiv administration. Peskov said, 'All this turmoil... the Kyiv regime is being shaken from within, this is understandable and can be seen with the naked eye.' Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi had previously confirmed his departure from the post.
