Kremlin says reduction of Western military aid to Ukraine not related to peace talks

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Kremlin on Wednesday said that the reduction of Western military aid to Ukraine is not related to the possibility of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

“This is not connected in any way,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a press briefing in response to a question on whether there is a proposal from Ukraine on holding peace talks in the context of the reduction of Western military aid for Kyiv.

Peskov further said that currently, the main thing for Moscow is to achieve its goals with regards to the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Of course, it is preferable to achieve these goals through political and diplomatic means. And when the West and Ukrainians reject these methods, then the special military operation continues,” Peskov added.

Touching on the virtual G-7 summit to be hosted by Japan later on Wednesday, Peskov said that Moscow will closely monitor it.

He went on to say that the topic of Ukraine may also be on the agenda of the meeting.

“You see how difficult the situation is now related to the continued allocation of financial resources. Ukrainians are clearly in a difficult situation, so it’s not easy for them now,” he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will host the virtual meeting as Japan ends its chairmanship in the group. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also set to attend the summit, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.