Russia is ready for negotiations on Ukraine in any format, but the meeting should be well-prepared, and a government should be formed in Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin says.
Answering journalists' questions about his reaction to the proposal voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold a meeting with the participation of the leaders of Germany, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Putin said: "We have never refused any of the proposed formats, including the expansion of the Normandy format," TASS reports.
"But, first, this Normandy format and the summit should be well prepared, this is an obvious thing," he said.
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"Secondly, we could more or less discuss something after the final formation of the new government of Ukraine and the holding of elections to the country's parliament," the Russian president continued.
"Thirdly, I don't know how other participants of the format offered react [to the invitation]," Putin added.
"How is the U.S. administration reacting? We don't know," he said. "How do Germany, France react? These are all questions that need to be worked out," said the head of the Russian state.
"We have never refused contacts if they are beneficial. And this [proposal] can also be interesting," Putin said.