Russia intends to hold talks with Ukraine on territorial issues during two-day consultations starting tomorrow in Geneva, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, quoted by DPA, BTA reported.
Peskov noted that the presence of Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky "will be necessary".
Medinsky, a former culture minister, was appointed chief negotiator by President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine, however, criticized Medinsky as a frivolous mediator. Medinsky did not attend the talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
The new round in Geneva will be held in an expanded format, the Kremlin said, noting that the talks will include Russian military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
There is still no sign of a solution to the war in Ukraine, DPA notes. Ukraine refuses to hand over its territories to Russia.
Galuzin yesterday presented a proposal to place Ukraine under external administration under the auspices of the UN. Moscow is ready to discuss this option with the United States, Europe and other countries, the Russian deputy minister said at a press conference. However, this proposal was rejected by a number of countries last year.