Kremlin mother on Guterres’ initiative on navigation in the Black Sea – Russian politics and diplomacy

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised to review UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ initiative on Black Sea shipping.

“There was a closed meeting, so I cannot give details on this issue,” Peskov said in response to a request from TASS about whether the Russian president and the UN secretary at a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit … General discussed Black Sea shipping and whether Putin had agreed to revise Guterres’ proposal.

Peskov confirmed media reports that the meeting between Putin and the UN Secretary General took place behind closed doors at Guterres’ request, without the usual press protocol. “As for the absence of the open part of the conversation, yes – it was canceled at the request of Guterres. He was our guest and we agreed to honor his demand,” Peskov said.

He added that “no particular contradictions arose” during the conversation between the two leaders. “Of course, there was an exchange of views on a wide range of issues,” Peskov clarified.

Guterres’ office told reporters that during the meeting with the Russian leader, the UN Secretary General advocated ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, emphasizing that this issue is of paramount importance for Ukraine, Russia and for global food and energy security. .