MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has had no contact with the incumbent U.S. administration following the launch of a Russian Oreshnik ballistic missile with a conventional warhead on the Ukrainian territory, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"There have been no contacts with the incumbent administration. On the other hand, the statement [made by Putin] yesterday was quite exhaustive, clear and logical. Hence, we have no doubt that the incumbent administration in Washington had a chance to study and understand this statement," Peskov told the press on Friday in response to a related question.
As to whether there is hope that Washington will listen to Putin's statement, Peskov said, "Of course, we would prefer Washington to listen to the statements the Russian president made in St. Petersburg several months ago, when he was loud and clear about our stance on the permission to use foreign-made missiles for strikes deep inside the Russian territory."
"Yet, we can see that the outgoing administration prefers to continue down the path of escalation, and does so quite recklessly. As to the openness to dialogue, the president emphasized even in the statement made yesterday that he is ready for any contacts with the purpose of de-escalation, avoidance of further escalation, and entering a peaceful track. So, the president is open to contact, the openness was, is and remains relevant to this day," Peskov said.