Kremlin Welcomes Biden Call for Dialogue, Criticizes Sanctions

On Friday, the Kremlin welcomed US President Joe Biden’s call for dialogue with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin; however, it criticized Washington for sanctions on Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Putin has long talked about the importance of normalizing relations between Moscow and Washington.

"He has repeatedly said that we are ready to develop our dialogue to the degree that our counterparts are ready for this," Peskov said. "It is indeed good that the points of view of the two heads of state coincide on this."

Nonetheless, Peskov severely criticized the sanctions imposed by Washington on Moscow Thursday, noting that America's "addiction for sanctions remains unacceptable."

Moreover, he revealed that Putin last month had suggested holding virtual talks with Biden, which did not come to fruition as Washington did not respond to the proposal.

Biden held a phone call with his Russian counterpart, proposing a summit talks in the coming months in a third country. However, the Kremlin spokesman stated that they were still considering Biden's offer for a summit, as Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Friday offered his country as a venue for the possible meeting.

Niinisto said he and Putin had spoken and the two discussed "the planned meeting" with Biden.

Also, the Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamáček offered the two leaders to hold their first summit in Prague.

“I have instructed our [Czech] ambassadors in Washington and Moscow to offer Prague as a possible meeting place,” Hamáček said on Twitter.