MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The West needs Ukraine as a battering ram to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated, speaking at the presentation of the report "Russia and its Neighbors: Mutual Responsibility and Shared Development" by the Valdai International Discussion Club.
He noted in a conversation with journalists that trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement are continuing, although they are difficult.
TASS has compiled the deputy foreign minister’s key statements.
Geneva talks on Ukraine on sensitive issues are "aimed at achieving results" and should be conducted "in a calm atmosphere and with due diplomatic discretion."
It has not yet been decided where and when the next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place: "This has not been determined yet."
