ISTANBUL

The Kremlin on Monday said that it is paying close attention to China's 12-point peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war which Beijing released last Friday.

"Any attempt to develop a plan that will help to transfer the conflict to a peaceful course deserves attention. We treat the plan of our Chinese friends with great attention," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in the capital Moscow.

In response to a question on the details of the plan, Peskov said it should be thoroughly analyzed “taking into account the interests of the various parties," further noting: "This is a very intense process.”

On Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement listing the Beijing's position on a political settlement to the war in Ukraine, where 12 points were listed, including respecting the sovereignty of all countries, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, and resolving the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The plan also calls for keeping nuclear power plants safe, facilitating grain exports, and stopping unilateral sanctions, noting that “dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.”

Situation in Transnistria followed closely

Peskov also touched on tensions in Transnistria and said Moscow is closely monitoring the situation in the breakaway region, amid claims last week by the Russian Defense Ministry that Ukraine plans an "armed provocation" in the region.

"Naturally, the situation in Transnistria is the object of our closest attention and a reason for our concern," Peskov said.

He reiterated that the situation in Transnistria is “very tense,” claiming that it is “provoked from the outside.”

"We know that our opponents, both in the Ukrainian regime and in European countries, are capable of various kinds of provocations. We know this well and we are aware of this report," Peskov said.

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine is preparing an "armed provocation" against Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Moldova but currently controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

The statement claimed that an offensive against Russian troops in the breakaway region is planned to be staged, with Ukrainian forces allegedly being dressed in the uniform of the Russian Armed Forces.

In response, the Moldovan government said in a statement that authorities do not confirm the claims made by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Western sanctions will continue

Peskov also said the West is experiencing a shortage of things to sanction, as the EU announced it adopted a 10th sanctions package late Friday with new trade bans and export controls on products and technologies that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

"It is clear that they (the West) have a certain shortage of objects for sanctioning, which explains the illogical inclusion of certain individuals or legal entities in the lists," Peskov said.

Peskov further noted that these sanctions will “obviously” continue, claiming that “new legal entities and individuals will be added to the lists in an absurd way.”

"All this, of course, is absurd, and it is obvious that it is not clear who is already being put on sanctions, people who are completely unrelated to some kind of sanctions topic, just to form some new lists," Peskov said.

Peskov also said he is certain that the implementation of the sanctions “will not cause any discomfort” for the people involved.​​​​​​​