Moscow, Jan. 17 -- Russia has welcomed what it described as a "positive shift" in tone from several Western European leaders over the need for dialogue with Moscow, with the Kremlin saying recent comments mark a notable departure from years of outright rejection of talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had taken note of remarks from leaders in France, Italy and Germany that acknowledge the necessity of engaging Russia to ensure long-term stability in Europe.
"We have noted statements made in recent days by a number of European leaders, namely by Paris, Rome, and even Berlin, strange as it may seem, in favour of the idea that, after all, in order to have stability in Europe, it is necessary to talk to the Russians," Peskov sai...