Putin says Russia prepared for talks on Ukraine issue

MOSCOW: Moscow is open to negotiations on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday.

"We have always stated this, and I would like to emphasise once again, that we are ready for negotiations on the Ukrainian issue," Putin declared. However, he noted that certain issues require special attention.

Putin recalled that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously issued a decree prohibiting such negotiations. "How can negotiations be resumed now when they have been banned?" Putin questioned, adding that if talks were to resume, they would be illegitimate under Ukraine's current legal framework.

Putin stated that as long as the decree remains in place, it will be difficult to discuss whether these negotiations can begin or be properly completed. He noted that while some preliminary discussions could occur, serious negotiations would be challenging given the existing ban from the Ukrainian side.

The Russian leader remarked that Zelensky "was in no hurry" to lift the decree banning negotiations and follow the orders of his sponsors.

He suggested that those funding Kiev should pressure the Ukrainian leader to do so. During his speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said US efforts to secure a peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine were "hopefully underway," adding that Ukraine was ready to make a deal.

By RSS/Xinhua