ST. PETERSBURG. June 16 (Interfax) - Russia is ready for Ukraine peace talks on realistic terms but there are no prerequisites for that just yet, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko told Interfax on Friday.
"We are attentive to all kinds of initiatives put forward by particular states or groups of states and we study them very closely. You know that Russia has never stopped declaring the readiness for peace talks, however, they should be held on realistic terms," Matviyenko said, speaking of the peace initiatives of China, Africa, and others.
"In my opinion, there are no prerequisites today for a serious discussion of any peace talks because, first and foremost, the West will not allow that to happen," Matviyenko said.
"The collective West, the United States are fully invested in the Ukraine conflict and keep their defense sector busy," while Kiev "is completely dependent in its decision-making process," she said.
"Even if we assume that Kiev wishes to sit down for talks, no one will allow that to happen," Matviyenko said.
There is yet another aspect, such as the reputation of U.S. President Joe Biden, who is about to join the election race and "needs rehearsal wins, mythical victories, which they are expecting but which can never happen with regard to Russia," she said.
"We are ready to hold negotiations with all of our partners, but we are fully aware that the West will not allow Kiev to hold any talks today," Matviyenko said.