Russian Defense Minister Serhii Shoigu said at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing that Russia is ready for negotiations with the West regarding the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis on "realistic grounds." However, he accused the West of seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, which, in his opinion, makes negotiations impossible.
Shoigu emphasized Moscow's readiness to discuss any security issues, provided that the dialogue is based on the principles of equality and respect between the parties. However, the current position of the West, which he described as a desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, creates obstacles for productive negotiations.
"Without the West revising its destructive line, which involves inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, fruitful negotiations in this area are hardly possible," Shoigu said.
The minister also expressed Russia's readiness for political discussions, including the settlement of the situation in Ukraine, as well as issues of further coexistence between Russia and Western countries.
"We remain ready for political discussions on a realistic basis - both with regard to the post-conflict settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, and with regard to the parameters of further coexistence with the West in general," Shoigu emphasized.
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring equal relations between the nuclear states that are members of the UN Security Council, as they are responsible for global security around the world.
"In order to create a fair, multipolar world order, it is necessary to review the architecture of international security and make it more stable. This requires the combined efforts of all interested countries," the Russian minister concluded.
