MOSCOW. June 8 (Interfax) - Russia will clearly explain to the United States at the upcoming bilateral summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden why no progress has been made in the Ukrainian settlement process and who is responsible for that, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
"There is no doubt that Ukraine will be mentioned. I am positive that our side will give clear explanations to Biden as to why all those moans and calls coming from Washington and European capitals and addressed to Moscow have the wrong addressee," Ryabkov told reporters at the State Duma.
"Russia isn't a party to the Minsk Package of Measures," he said.
"Russia shouldn't be viewed as a country that has to do something about it. The root of the problem is Kyiv's refusal to establish direct dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk," Ryabkov said.
"If the United States somehow manages to rise above its own dogmas, put the interests and the resolution of this problem above momentary needs and the desire to please those who set the tone in Kyiv, perhaps the agreement will be more productive. Actually, no headway will be made unless that happens," he said.
"I have no doubt that Mr. Biden will hear our comprehensive, full, illustrative, and clear explanation as to why such things have happened, why there is no progress toward the settlement goal, who is responsible for all that, and what role the United States plays in this area. This role as of now has been quite destructive, and there has been no sign of improvement during Biden's tenure," Ryabkov said.