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Russia ready to fully restore ties with Europe, in particular with Czech Republic - Putin

"We understand that and are ready to fully restore our ties," he said.

MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/. Russia is ready to fully restore ties with Europe, in particular the Czech Republic, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday at a meeting with his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman.

"We have unfortunately had trade somewhat fall in connection with the well-known events, reciprocal restrictions in the economy. Everyone sustains losses from it, there’s nothing good about it," Putin said.

"We understand that and are ready to fully restore our ties," he said.

Putin said the Russian-Czech relations have seen different times. He expressed the hope that the ties will be restored not only with Europe as a whole but also with Eastern Europe, in particular, with the Czech Republic.

The Russian leader said he hopes for further development of those ties.

Most European leaders refused to come to Moscow on May 9 to mark Victory Day and attend the Victory Parade in the Russian capital this year over the situation in Ukraine they blame Russia for. Zeman was an exception and arrived in the city.

The West has subjected Russia to sanctions over Ukraine. Moscow has introduced food import bans for Western countries in response.

Russia has constantly dismissed accusations of "annexing" Crimea, because Crimea reunified with Russia voluntarily after a referendum in mid-March 2014, as well as allegations that Moscow could in any way be involved in hostilities in the southeast.