Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with US special envoy Steve Witkoff (left) during their meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (EPA Images pic)MOSCOW: Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that future talks on a settlement of the war in Ukraine should focus on security guarantees for both countries and an overall framework for security throughout Europe.
Putin, interviewed on Russian television a day after meeting US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, confirmed that Russia was ready to resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine next month.
He restated longstanding Kremlin policy that Russia never wanted to launch a war, but had run into hostile reactions from Ukraine on key issues of concern to Moscow.
