Russia, Armenia planning contacts between leaders, Kremlin says

MOSCOW

Russia and Armenia are organizing contacts between the leaders of the two countries, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the conclusion of anti-terror activities against Armenian forces by Azerbaijan in its region of Karabakh, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying at a news conference in Moscow that contacts with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev were currently not on the agenda.

"Contacts continue at the working level, if necessary, such a conversation, of course, can also take place," Peskov said.

He dismissed criticism by Armen Grigoryan, secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, who said Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh "do not fulfill their obligations."

"Such accusations against us are absolutely groundless. They are not based on anything. Despite this, we continue our contacts with the Armenian side. Armenia has been and remains our very important ally, partner, and a country close to us," Peskov stressed.

He pointed out that Armenia recognized Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory, which means Baku was acting on its own territory with its anti-terror measures.

"Our military, they are not engaged in scholasticism, they are doing a specific job, they are acting as peacekeepers, helping to evacuate civilians, especially children, from dangerous zones. This work continues day and night. Efforts continue," he said.

Biden's 'dictator' comment

On recent comments by US President Joe Biden calling his Russian counterpart a "dictator," Peskov said Vladimir Putin outmatched Biden in popularity.

"In his entire career as a politician, President Biden has never gained such a level of support as President Putin. That's probably what he should strive for," Peskov said, adding that "very, very difficult elections" await Biden next year.

"We understand that the US is now actively clearing the electoral platform from unwanted competitors. But we have our own concerns, which we will deal with," he added.

Ukraine-Poland tensions

Turning to tensions between Poland and Ukraine, whose grain exports Warsaw restricted to protect its domestic market and farmers, Peskov said new trade disputes would emerge going forward.

"This is not the first and not the last conflict. There will only be more such conflicts. The Ukrainian regime will continue to demonstrate its behavior and Europeans will like it less and less," Peskov said.

Relations between Ukraine and Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary have been fraying in recent weeks over those three countries' separate decisions to prolong restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products in their territory, with Ukrainian President expressing veiled criticism of them in his UN speech on Tuesday.

On Sept.15, the European Commission did not extend the embargo on the supply of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine.

Following that, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia announced a unilateral ban on grain imports from Ukraine.

In response, Kyiv filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization.

Poland has since come out against the steps Ukraine has taken, pointing out the aid Warsaw has provided the country in its war with Russia and its position as a transit country for the assistance provided by other countries.