White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said on Friday that there is nothing to announce at this time in regard to US President Joe Biden’s potential participation in the Ukraine peace conference next month.
"I don’t have anything on his schedule to speak to in that regard," Kirby said during a press briefing, when asked whether Biden plans to attend the event.
Commenting on the conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that since Russia is "not seen" at it, then "so be it." Moreover, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the goal of the upcoming meeting in Switzerland was to formulate ultimatums to Russia.
Furthermore, Khokhlov said that the idea of a peace conference, which is strongly promoted by the organizers, is unacceptable for Russia, because "this is just another version of imposing an unworkable 'peace formula' that does not take into account Russian interests."
At the same time, Switzerland's Foreign Ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Elchinger told Sputnik on Monday that his country believes that Russia needs to be involved in the Ukraine peace process, as reaching peace without Moscow is "unthinkable."
Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is willing to negotiate, but Kiev has passed legislation prohibiting it. The West urges Russia to hold talks, while ignoring Kiev's persistent reluctance to negotiate.