Russian Presidential Spokesman Peskov has refuted the US remarks that Moscow is "waging diplomatic wars."
"Russia has not unleashed any diplomatic wars, President Vladimir Putin from the very beginning was and remains a supporter of establishing good relations with all countries, including the United States. Russia has never been the initiator of sanctions or the expulsion of diplomats," Peskov told reporters.
He stressed that "Russia remains open to mending ties," adding that the country "wants a friendly relationship."
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When asked why Russia has not announced any retaliatory measures yet against other countries which have expelled Russian diplomats, the spokesman metaphorically said that "night brings counsel," a well-known Russian proverb which means that it is necessary to think over a decision before making it.
After Russia's tit-for-tat move, the US, in its turn, opted for the further escalation of tensions and announced that it would be taking additional actions in response to Moscow's decision to expel US diplomats.
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Kremlin on Investigation into Poisoning
Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's proposal to convene an extraordinary session of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is due to Moscow's desire to get acquainted with at least some information about the poisoning of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil.
"To make fuller use of the opportunities provided by the organization [OPCW], because you know, otherwise, unfortunately, our country is deprived of the opportunity to receive any information about this case from the country where, in fact, this incident had happened," Peskov said.
Russia wants an impartial and objective investigation, he reiterated.
"Russia rejects any accusations of involvement in this incident. One of the attack's victims is a Russian citizen and all this, of course, gives grounds for active action within the only international organization competent in this issue," the spokesman concluded.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia officially proposed to convene an extraordinary session of the OPCW Executive Council on April 4 to have a "frank conversation" and to establish the truth in the Skripal case.
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Sergei Skripal, a former colonel of Russia's GRU military intelligence service who also worked for UK intelligence and his daughter Yulia were hospitalized in critical condition on March 4. The UK authorities believe that the Skripals were exposed to the A234 nerve agent, which UK experts have claimed was developed in the Soviet Union. Sergei Skripal is still unconscious, with no recent updates on his health.