Putin: Russia is ready to negotiate on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that his country was ready to negotiate with all parties to the Ukraine conflict, but Kyiv and its Western backers refused to take part in the talks.

"We are ready to negotiate with all interested parties on acceptable solutions, but it is up to them," Putin said in an interview with the official Russia 1 channel. "We are not the ones who refuse to negotiate, but they are the ones who reject it."

Putin indicated that his country is moving in the right direction in Ukraine given that the West, led by the United States, is trying to divide Russia, adding: "We are defending our national interests and the interests of our citizens and our people. We have no other choice but to protect our citizens."

When asked if the geopolitical conflict with the West was approaching dangerous levels, Putin said: "I don't think it is very dangerous."

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