MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Moscow still believes diplomatic engagement remains possible after US has moved closer to Europe's position on Ukraine following the G7 summit; Israel - Lebanon talks expose deep disagreements over Hezbollah; and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is touring Gulf states seeking to reassure Washington's Arab partners. These stories topped Wednesday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
Vedomosti: Moscow asserts diplomacy remains possible despite US-Europe alignment
The complex interplay in relations among Russia, the United States, and European countries at a new stage in the evolution of the Ukraine conflict emerged as a central theme in talks and comments by Russian diplomats at the Primakov Readings conference, which kicked off in Moscow on June 23.
The tone was set by Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov during the conference's opening session, when he addressed the outcome of the G7 summit held in the French resort town of Evian in mid-June. The joint statement endorsed by US President Donald Trump urged increased arms deliveries to Ukraine and additional sanctions targeting Russia's fuel and energy sector. Experts interviewed by Vedomosti believe that while Trump has moved rhetorically closer to Europe on Ukraine under pressure from allies and domestic political constraints, it is still too early to conclude that Washington has fundamentally abandoned the possibility of a diplomatic settlement with Russia.
