MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Moscow hopes to find common ground at the talks with Washington that should be linked to Russian priorities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"It is important to us that the rational elements and aspects noted by the Americans are discussed in the context of issues we deem to be a priority. Hopefully, such negotiating process will begin," Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"This is the purpose of diplomacy: to find possible points of contact and reconcile the stances that may look opposite at first glance," he said.
Peskov thus commented on Biden's opinion that diplomacy should be given a chance to solve security problems with Russia, while Washington would not sacrifice its basic principles.
"In this case, President Putin also emphasizes our desire and readiness to begin talks. The readiness to establish a serious dialogue, which has been declared by the U.S. president, also looks positive," Peskov said.
Journalists asked Peskov whether there was an idea of "points of contact" Russia might find at the talks with the U.S.
"No, they will just have to be worked out in negotiations. That would be the result of the negotiations, which will be extremely complex and will require flexibility of both parties, their political will and, probably, a demonstration that the commitment to diplomacy is genuine rather than declarative," Peskov said.