MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The debate between the U.S. presidential candidates is an internal affair of the United States, but Moscow is monitoring their statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"Of course, we have seen media reports about the debates and are studying them closely. That's an internal affair of the United States," Peskov said in response to journalists' requests for comment on the U.S. debates.
"Of course, we are familiarizing ourselves with all the statements made," he said.
Peskov added that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not view the debates of the U.S. presidential candidates as a priority. "I do not think you expect the Russian president to set an alarm for waking up in the morning and watching the debates in the United States," he said.
"After all, this is not an item on our agenda. We have numerous issues that really matter to our country and which are relevant to us. These are the issues addressed by our president," Peskov said.
Journalists asked Peskov whether the Kremlin was ready to make a preliminary assessment of the debates.
"We are absolutely not going to assess the debates. That's an internal affair of the United States. It's an election campaign of the United States," Peskov said.
"We have never interfered in U.S. election campaigns. If you remember, numerous inquiries have been done in the United States. Many people there accused Russia, costly inquiries have been carried out, but they arrived at the conclusion that no interference was recorded. We are not going to do it this time either," he said.