"There is still a lack of concrete proposals. After the latest phone talks between Putin and Trump, during which the two leaders expressed their understanding for the need for a meeting, we still note the lack of initiative on behalf of our US partners," Peskov told reporters.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported citing sources that the White House was in the early stages of planning a meeting between the US and Russian leaders, but no date or location had been agreed upon. The media outlet later reported citing an unnamed US administration official that Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman was in Washington to arrange the meeting.
On Possible Kim Jong-un to Russia
According to Peskov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov handed over an invitation to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia, the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) could be a possible occasion for the visit.
"During our foreign minister Lavrov's contacts in Pyongyang, he gave Kim Jong-un an invitation to visit Russia, and indeed the Eastern Economic Forum was named as one of the possible occasions for such visit," Peskov told reporters when asked whether there were plans for Putin's meeting with Kim at the forum.
On NATO Activity Near Russia's Borders
"Moscow watches closely all the maneuvers held within the NATO framework, especially the ones that at some point are held near our borders," Peskov told reporters answering a question if Moscow was concerned over the Saber Strike 2018 multinational exercise held by NATO.
The Kremlin official added that the relevant Russian agencies exert efforts to ensure the protection of the nation against the backdrop of the NATO steps.
According to the US Department of Defense, the Saber Strike 2018 that started on Sunday will continue until June 15 in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. About 18,000 people representing 19 states are participating in the drills.
On Importance of G8 to G20
Kremlin spokesman also stressed, that G20, where Russia is involved, is becoming increasingly important, while the G8 format is growing old.
"The importance of this format [G8], from the point of view of the Russian side, is decreasing… Because in the changing situation, in terms of international politics and economy, the significance and importance of such formats as G20, in which Russia is actively participating, is growing," Peskov told reporters, when asked if Russia wanted to or could return to G8.
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The spokesman refused to speculate on whether Russia would return to the format if invited back in. "The hypothetical musings are hardly possible here," Peskov said.
