State Department Spokesperson Pressed For Reaction To Most Recent Talks Between Ukraine And Russia

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During a State Department press briefing on Thursday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott was asked about the most recent talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey.

Transcript

00:00Let's just switch topics to Ukraine. Do you have any reaction to the talks in Istanbul and

00:10it doesn't seem like there was any much progress? And separately, do you have – have the Russians

00:15reached out to you or offered any response to President Trump's 50-day ultimatum?

00:21MR PRICE- Well, nothing to preview in terms of that second question. On your first,

00:25we are aware that a third round of direct talks took place between the two parties.

00:28We support continued calls for a full, unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine's continued calls for a full,

00:32unconditional ceasefire, including the complete halt of all strikes on civilian and critical

00:37infrastructure. And we welcome the news that Russia and Ukraine agreed on a further exchange of

00:41prisoners, particularly the severely ill and wounded. So do you see this as a – as progress,

00:49these talks? MR PRICE- Well, what I can say is we continue to encourage direct talks between Russia

00:54and Ukraine in pursuit of a comprehensive ceasefire and eventually a negotiated peace settlement.

00:58MR PRICE- Just to follow up on that, the fact that there was no ceasefire on the table and it

01:04was overshadowed by Russian attacks, was it a missed opportunity in your opinion?

01:09MR PRICE- Well, look, the President has been clear many times about how he views certain actions by Russia,

01:14especially over recent weeks. He has been very clear on that, very transparent on that. He's also been

01:19clear that we want to see the parties continue those direct talks to reach that ceasefire,

01:23that comprehensive ceasefire, and eventually that negotiated peace settlement. Beyond that,

01:27I have nothing further to add. MR PRICE- Thanks. I also want to get your reaction to

01:30the latest reports about China supplying Russia with drone engines under different names. What kind of

01:37reaction does it invite from you guys? MR PRICE- Well, let me take your question back and see

01:42if we can get more details there. But in the meantime, I refer you to some similar comments from this

01:45podium. MR PRICE- One more topic. I asked you a couple of days ago about Azerbaijan

01:49Armenia. The President said that he achieved some magic. Can you please unpack for us?

01:54MR PRICE- Well, at this point, I have nothing to preview. We'll see if we're able – when we

01:57have something to announce, we'll announce it. Thank you. That's all for today. Thank you very much.

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