Iran determines its own political positions, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, when asked whether the Kremlin had consulted with Tehran before or after responding to a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump calling for talks on Iran's nuclear program, Reuters reported.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that Tehran could not be forced to negotiate. He made his statement a day after Trump said he had sent a letter calling on Iran to participate in talks on a new nuclear deal.
When asked whether Moscow had consulted Tehran before or after Trump's letter, the Kremlin spokesman said: "No. Iran is a sovereign state and determines its positions on international issues independently. It is clear that tough negotiations are ahead.
Trump earlier said he would resume the policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran in order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and expressed a preference for a new nuclear deal with Tehran.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their relations since the start of the war in Ukraine, with Tehran supplying Moscow with drones.
Regarding possible talks with Tehran, Peskov said: "It is clear that Iran wants negotiations based on mutual respect, constructive negotiations".
"We will, of course, continue to do everything in our power, everything possible, to be able to direct the process of settling the Iranian nuclear issue in a peaceful direction," he said.
The Kremlin also said that the West's long-standing accusations that Russia is carrying out sabotage in the United States and Europe are "empty" and completely unproven.
He made his statement after a request for comment on reports that the United States had suspended some measures to counter alleged Russian sabotage campaigns.
Peskov said there was no evidence of Russian sabotage campaigns and that the Trump administration was trying to eliminate "everything ineffective, corrupt and unacceptable, and that is understandable".
In addition, Russia believes that restoring ties with the United States is a long and difficult task, but believes that both sides have the political will to move forward, the Kremlin said today.
U.S. President Donald Trump's rapid steps towards rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin have alarmed Ukraine and its European allies, Reuters notes.
"We are at the initial stage of the path to restoring our bilateral relations. The road ahead is quite long and difficult, but at least the two presidents have expressed political will in this direction," Peskov said.
He added that it was important to decide whether Ukraine, which is expected to hold diplomatic talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, really wanted peace or not.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to join the talks as soon as possible and wanted guarantees from the United States and Europe to ensure his country's future security.