PUTIN: WE ARE READY FOR TALKS NEGOTIATIONS WITH KYIV, BUT UNDER ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 1 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ – Russia is ready to begin negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine and to conclude them as soon as possible, but under conditions that are acceptable to the Russian people, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin said it would be desirable to halt the fighting and reach agreements on humanitarian issues if Kyiv agrees to conditions acceptable to Russia.

"Russia does not see any Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate," Putin stressed, adding that it was Ukraine, rather than Russia, that suspended the negotiation process.

He stated that the leaders of the final years of the Soviet era had been "naive and careless" and had "blindly trusted Western partners and the possibility of gentleman’s agreements."

"Looking back, it becomes clear how destructive trust in the West was, not only for the fate of the Soviet Union, but also for ensuring long-term global stability," Putin said.