After Summit, Moscow Rebuts US Claims That It Refuses to Hold ‘Meaningful’ Peace Talks

This week’s Saudi-hosted summit on Ukraine produced little in the way of tangible results, despite the participation of dozens of countries. While Ukraine and its Western allies continue to tout Kyiv’s 10-point peace initiative, Moscow firmly rejects the ‘Zelenskyy Plan,’ saying it fails to acknowledge ‘territorial realities.’

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova gestures as she attends Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's annual roundup news conference summing up his ministry's work in 2019, in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 17, 2020. Alexander Zemlianichenko/The Canadian Press/Via AP

In the wake of this weekend’s Saudi-hosted summit on Ukraine, Moscow has challenged claims by Washington that Russia is to blame for the lack of peace talks.

“[Washington] knows perfectly well that it told [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to halt negotiations in April 2022 and that it initiated the Kyiv regime’s ban on peace talks with Russia last September,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Aug. 8.