Peskov on possible dialogue with Macron: Putin repeatedly declared openness to talks to achieve tangible result

MOSCOW. June 25 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for dialogue with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron without preconditions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The president has repeatedly declared his openness to talks, especially substantive talks aimed at achieving a tangible result. The president has also said on numerous occasions that we are ready for dialogue as much as our vis-a-vis are prepared for that, and absolutely no preconditions are necessary," Peskov told reporters when commenting on Macron's statement about a possible continuation of his dialogue with Putin.

It was not Moscow that initiated the virtually complete curtailment of relations with Paris, he said.

"In the case of France, it was a decision made by the French side. We view this course as erroneous and shortsighted. Meanwhile, our president has been and remains ready for dialogue," he said.

There was a follow-up question as to whether an honest conversation with the French president could be expected, given the situation with the Minsk Agreements. "Naturally, every action has consequences. Clearly, the situation with the Minsk Agreements taught us a lot and seriously damaged the atmosphere of trust. An atmosphere of trust perishes very quickly, even momentarily, and is built over a very long period of time, years or even decades," Peskov said.

This is only a matter of time and the stance to be taken by Russia's counterparts, he said. "For now, to our deep regret, we do not see any prerequisites for normalizing the dialogue besides those statements," Peskov said.