Kremlin: Russia not minimizing importance of COP26 talks, 'serious' about climate change
The Kremlin has rejected US President Joe Biden's remarks in which he criticized his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for failing to attend the UN climate change conference (COP26) in Scotland, stressing Russia is 'serious' about the issue.
At the COP26 summit on Tuesday, Biden accused Putin of a lack of leadership for not showing up at the event, saying, "His tundra is burning -- literally, the tundra is burning. He has serious, serious climate problems, and he is mum on willingness to do anything."
"We disagree," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, adding, "We are certainly not minimizing the importance of the event in Glasgow, but Russia's actions are consistent and thoughtful and serious."
He also stressed that his country was well aware of the impacts of climate change and was in fact facing "more serious challenges" than other nations.
"The tundra really is on fire. But let's not forget that forests are burning in California, forests are burning in Turkey, and in other countries," Peskov added.
He stressed that Moscow had taken a "very responsible" position on climate change.
Referring to long-term plans adopted by Russia to reduce emissions and diversify energy sources, Peskov said a second summit between Putin and Biden would offer "a great opportunity” for the Russian leader to tell his American counterpart “what we are doing on the climate."
Last month, Putin said Russia, one of the highest carbon emitters in the world, was aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060.
Former US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord, leaving the US the only country that was not part of the agreement.
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