In statements issued before the Russia-NATO Council meeting today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was not optimistic about the direction of the three sets of talks. According to TASS, Peskov told reporters yesterday: “So far, we do not see any substantial cause for optimism, a positive assessment was given by [Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey] Ryabkov on how those talks were conducted. Meaning, about their nature, that is, open, substantive and direct. Yet this is not a process for a process’ sake and this is not something that causes satisfaction because the outcome is important here.” Peskov went on, according to TASS: “So far, there’s nothing to say about the result. There are still several rounds ahead that will make it possible to come up with a clearer understanding, and a clearer picture of where we are with the Americans,” he remarked. “Right now, unfortunately, it is impossible to draw any other conclusions.”