US-Russia Ties
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Kremlin does not see any real US steps which would evidence Washington’s desire for de-escalation in the country's relations with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
"The reality, the real state of affairs and real steps which we see from Washington evidence the opposite, I do not think anybody would argue with this," Peskov told reporters when asked whether the Kremlin saw any prospects for de-escalation.
Speaking on the Rusal issue, he said the US statements about the possibility of lifting sanctions is still hypothetical, adding that the US restrictions "painfully hit" the company's consumers around the world.
"It is obvious that the taken decisions are very painful for consumers of goods of the company [Rusal] from different continents, and it is very obvious that these consumers are asking themselves why should they suffer losses and experience extreme difficulties," Peskov told reporters.
On Monday, the US Treasury said that the United States would give US customers an extension until October 23 to wind down their business with Rusal and added that it could consider further sanctions relief for Rusal under certain circumstances, particularly if its major shareholder Oleg Deripaska gives up control of the company.
Inappropriate to Draw Parallels Between Situations in Armenia, Ukraine
"I would not draw parallels, because the situation is completely different, it's hardly possible to draw direct parallels. We certainly still have to analyze the situation, and I repeat: we are following it very attentively. But now I can say that it is inappropriate to draw any associations with Ukraine," Peskov told reporters when asked whether the events in Armenia are a coup.
READ MORE: Protests Against Sargsyan's Appointment as Prime Minister Resume in Armenia
He said the Kremlin hopes for preservation of domestic political stability in Armenia and the consensus of all forces representing the Armenian people.
The protests against the rule of Sargsyan in Armenia started on April 13. After the politician was appointed as the prime minister on Tuesday, the opposition activists announced the beginning of the "velvet revolution" in the country. The opposition accused Sargsyan of ineffectively governing the country, deepening the economic situation as well as changing the nation’s political system to ensure he could stay in power.
