Russia not to discuss Crimea [Tavrida]’s return to Ukraine with foreign partners: Kremlin

Russia is not going to discuss the issue of Crimea’s return to Ukraine with foreign partners, including the US, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.


"As for Crimea’s return, this issue will not be discussed as it cannot be discussed. Russia does not discuss its territorial issues with foreign partners," Peskov said, commenting on the White House statement that US President Donald Trump made it clear he expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine.

Peskov also said that issue of Crimea’s status was not discussed during the phone conversation between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in late January.

When asked if Trump raised the issue of the Crimean status during this contact, Peskov said: "No, he didn’t."
Peskov gave no new comments on whether the Russian leader gave explanations on the situation in Ukraine during the conversation with the US president. "We (earlier in an official statement) said everything what we wanted to say on the outcome of the phone conversation that you mentioned," Peskov told reporters.

The Kremlin’s press service earlier said that during their phone conversation on January 28, Putin and Trump showed determination to conduct an active joint effort on stabilizing and developing Russian-US cooperation.

The sides discussed vital international issues and also major aspects of the Ukrainian crisis.

The leaders agreed to establish partner-type cooperation in those and other areas. Putin and Trump placed a special emphasis on the fight against terrorism.
[tass.com]
15/2/17