https://arab.news/g7jf9
- Putin speaking at pre-BRICS Summit press conference in Moscow Region
- Russian president added Israel-Palestine crisis would be on BRICS Summit agenda next week
MOSCOW: Saudi Arabia would be an acceptable location for Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, President Vladimir Putin told Arab News on Friday, but any negotiations would be dependent on Ukraine lifting its ban on dealing with Russia.
Speaking at a pre-BRICS Summit press conference in Moscow Region, he said Russia was ready for dialog with Kyiv but only on the basis of what has already been previously agreed in 2022 Istanbul talks.
Praising the "good personal relationship" with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said he believed the Kingdom's efforts toward mediation were sincere.
The 16th annual BRICS summit will take place in Kazan next week between the namesake five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as the first meeting for new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE.
Putin told Arab News the Israel-Palestine crisis would be on the agenda in discussions between the countries.
He reiterated the Kremlin's support for the implementation of the two-state solution, adding that he was in contact with authorities in Israel and Palestine and had invited Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to take part in next week's summit.
During the briefing, Putin also said 30 other countries had expressed interest in cooperation with BRICS nations, and said its "doors are open, we are not barring anyone."
He echoed India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said BRICS was "not an anti-Western alliance, just a non-Western alliance."