Putin: «Open to talks but not on US terms. Recognize the occupied regions as Russian"

Vladimir Putin remains "open to talks to ensure Russia's interests" and considers "the peaceful diplomatic route as the preferable way to achieve his goals".

But he rejects the conditions posed by US President Joe Biden to start a dialogue : "It is impossible for Russia to accept the condition posed by Joe Biden for the negotiations on Ukraine, that is, that Moscow's troops leave Ukrainian territory first," he said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by the RIA Novosti agency.

"The preferred way to resolve the situation in Ukraine is diplomacy - added Peskov -, but the United States must recognize the recently annexed Ukrainian regions as territory of the Russian Federation ".

(Unioneonline/L)