Russia remains ready for talks on Ukraine: Foreign minister

Russia prepared to listen to proposals from Western partners to reduce tensions, says Sergey Lavrov

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia remains willing to enter into negotiations with its Western partners on Ukraine, the country's top diplomat said on Sunday.

"The Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, remains ready to negotiate on Ukraine," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with a local broadcaster, the state-run news agency TASS reported.

Moscow will "always be ready to listen to what proposals Western partners have to reduce tensions," Lavrov added.

"The readiness of Russia, including its president, for negotiations (on Ukraine), remains unchanged," Lavrov expressed.

He indicated that talks would be possible if Moscow is approached with "realistic proposals, based on the principles of equality and respect for each other's interests, and aimed at finding compromises and balancing the interests of all countries."

On Monday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported civilian casualties of the ongoing war at 16,150, including 6,374 killed and 9,776 injured.

Kaynak:

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