NEW YORK, May 25. /TASS/. The United States deliberately tries to "turn everything upside down" by claiming that Russia is allegedly not ready for peace talks with Ukraine, Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov told the US magazine Newsweek.

"We consider statements by representatives of the US administration about Russia’s alleged lack of readiness for peace negotiations with Ukraine as a deliberate attempt to turn everything ‘upside down’," he said.

Antonov added that "there can be no talk of any ‘freezing’ of the conflict" and that Russian President Vladimir Putin "did not say anything like this."

In addition, the Russian ambassador emphasized that any Russian-Ukrainian agreements "must take into account the situation ‘on the ground’."

"Retreat or withdrawal of the Russian Federation Armed Forces to hypothetical dividing lines is excluded," he stated, reminding that the Russian borders "are clearly marked" in the Constitution of Russia, and they "include new federal subjects."

"President Vladimir Putin indicated that the Russian Federation needs tangible, legally enshrined ‘on paper’ security guarantees. But, based on the current situation in Ukraine, it is not clear who exactly can sign the document, taking into account the termination of Zelensky’s term of office. This figure has already lost its legitimacy. This is a serious issue that needs to be discussed," Antonov concluded.