Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to talks with the new US administration on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. This statement of Putin was made public after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President. Putin said this in a meeting with the members of the Security Council of Russia.

In a statement issued by the Kremlin, it is mentioned that Putin, in a meeting with the members of the country's Security Council, emphasized the need to work for long-term peace, with special emphasis on removing the root causes of the conflict forever.

President Putin reiterated that a possible solution to the Ukraine crisis should be a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all countries in the region, rather than a temporary ceasefire to regroup forces for another conflict. He said, 'The idea is that dialogue will be based on equality and mutual respect, which will consider the important role our countries play on key issues including strategic stability and security.'

In a meeting with members of the Security Council, Putin stated that Moscow has never rejected talks and discussions, saying that it is always open to cooperation with the US administration. Apart from this, Putin also congratulated US President Trump on his inauguration. At the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to reach out to the new US administration and other Western leaders.