Ukraine, if it wants to start peace talks with Russia, needs to cancel the decree banning negotiations and declare its readiness for dialogue with Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The president of Ukraine [Volodymyr Zelensky] has issued a decree prohibiting peace negotiations with us... Well, how can you negotiate if they don't want it and even if they have issued a regulatory document prohibiting these negotiations," Putin said in an interview with China Central Television.
The Russian leader added that if the Ukrainian side wants to start negotiations, it must first cancel this decree.
"And declare readiness for these negotiations. We are ready, including using the offer of our Chinese friends," Putin explained.
Ukraine’s non-aligned status is extremely important to Russia, and the expansion of NATO by joining Ukraine to the bloc creates threats for Moscow, Russian President added.
"We ask that this be heard," Putin stressed.