"We should be fascinated by our national interests first of all"

Russia continues to face serious international challenges. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in the Izvestia studio at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), spoke about the role of the United States in resolving the Ukrainian conflict, the interest of the West in the SPIEF and Russia's European friends.

"We don't tend to wear rose-colored glasses and be overly fascinated by the United States"

— The first question, the most relevant, was it possible for the president to get acquainted with Zelensky's letter, which he deliberately planted when Vladimir Vladimirovich was talking to the foreign press?

— Yes, we already handed over the written version at night, printed it out from the media. They handed it over to the president, reported on the different reactions of world leaders, and he got acquainted.

— Was there any reaction that you can tell us about now?

— Listen, we're going to have a plenary session now, and I can assume with a high degree of probability that this topic will figure in one way or another. Therefore, I would not like to get ahead of myself.

— Today, the US Congress passed a bill on assistance to Ukraine, support for the military of the Baltic countries and the introduction of new sanctions against Russia. How does this fit in with the statements of the White House that they are ready to resolve the conflict, are ready for negotiations, for dialogue?

— The position of the White House, on the one hand, is consistent, on the other hand, like everything in world affairs, it is very contradictory. It is consistent in terms of what Secretary of State Rubio recently stated, who said that Washington supports only one side, Ukraine, supplies weapons there, and so on. And this consistently happens. This is really the war that was Biden's war. Actually, Biden indirectly dragged the United States into this conflict. In part, this trend continues.

And here we are not inclined to wear rose-colored glasses and be overly fascinated by the United States. We should all be fascinated by our national interests first of all. On the other hand, world affairs are arranged in such a way that, despite the significant contradictions in the statements, specific cases are important. And in specific cases, we see, indeed, the sincere desire of President Trump and some members of his team to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict.

This mission of good offices is worth a lot, we highly appreciate it, and we are grateful to the Americans for it. Another thing is that at first they thought it would be very easy. We warned you from the very beginning that it couldn't be easy. The problem is too complicated. But we still hope that the pause that has now formed will be broken and some contacts will be resumed. Moreover, we continue to communicate with the Americans through the available channels. But, of course, everything will depend on the Kiev regime from now on.

— Should we expect a meeting between Vladimir Vladimirovich and Donald Trump in the near future, in what formats?

— There are no such plans yet. In order for the meeting to take place, good homework must be done in terms of moving along the peaceful track of Ukrainian regulation. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm this yet.

"We are interested in foreign capital coming to our market"

— In previous years, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum did not receive such attention from the West as it does now. How could you explain such a sudden revival of Western interest in this forum?

— So far, I would not exaggerate the revival of Western interest and would not exaggerate the importance of the arrival of some emissaries. After all, the main thing is the interest shown by Western business. But he does. And even if he (business — Ed.) is not here, everyone is waiting for the president's statement during the panel session today. It is important for them to understand the main economic and political vector. It is important for them to understand what Russia considers to be its main challenges. And this interest did not disappear, it was always present.

Let's not forget that many, many large companies have left. Someone left in a good way, someone left in an absolutely bestial way. But someone has remained and remains in this market. And we, as Russia, are interested in foreign capital coming to our market. We are interested in proving to everyone that we are a reliable country, we are the best country for investment, because no country in the world can develop without foreign investments. It's just not possible.

"If the Europeans move away from their paradigm of not communicating with Russia, it's enough for them to take a phone into the control room and dial a number."

— Viktor Orban, a friend of our country, lost the elections in Hungary, and now it is unclear whether Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be re-elected. Are we losing friends in Europe?

— Orban has never been our friend who is ready to sacrifice himself for us. Orban has never been like that, and Vucic is not like that either. Yes, we have special historical relations with the Serbs, special ethnic relations, special religious relations, and so on. But this is a separate country that independently chooses its own path of development, which faces its own difficulties, which independently responds to the challenges it is coping with.

Another thing is that Serbia is a country with which we really have partnership relations. And these partnerships allow us to discuss the most pressing issues. Orban has always been a great pragmatist. He was not our friend, he was a friend of the Hungarian people, and he did what was beneficial to Hungarians. Often, this benefit coincided with our benefit. And when something becomes mutually beneficial in interstate matters, this is partnership.

— Today, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made statements that he could easily withdraw from the CSTO. How can this turn out?

— Armenia's position on the CSTO is well known to us. Armenia has not actually participated in the work of the CSTO for quite a long time. The current leadership of Armenia, I would say, is artificially trying to put the country at a crossroads. He is going to organize a choice for the country — to go towards Europe or towards the EAEU.

We are convinced that if we put Euro-orientation and orientation towards the EAEU on the scales, then the EAEU outweighs Armenia. It is more beneficial for the Armenians. This is more profitable because they earn more money in the EAEU, they have a better future with the EAEU, and they are developing faster with the EAEU. This will not happen with Europe. But it's up to the Armenian people to make the decision. President Putin said, "What is good for Armenians is good for us." After all, there are more Armenians in our country than in Armenia itself.

— But do people make such a decision?

— Of course, the authorities will push their position, but let's hope that ordinary citizens of Armenia will also make a decision. Moreover, they will go to the polls. It's their choice.

— What are the prospects for Vladimir Vladimirovich's next telephone conversations with one of the European leaders? Perhaps there are already some options? Maybe with Macron?

— For several years now, you and I have been hearing statements by Mr. Macron that he is going to call Putin in the near future. The near future passes, no one calls anyone. Putin has been saying all these five years that we are open to dialogue. We believe that this is a dead-end development path when the number of problems is growing and the desire to talk is at zero. And we are not the initiators of this silence. Putin is open to dialogue. Therefore, if the Europeans move away from their paradigm of not communicating with Russia, they just need to pick up the phone and dial a number. They know this number well.