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Ukraine’s Zelensky ready to meet with Putin in any format, but not in Sochi

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Zelensky would be welcome in Russia for discussing normalization of bilateral relations and mentioned Moscow, St. Petersburg or Sochi as possible venues

KIEV, January 28. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has said that he is prepared for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in any format.

"I do wish to have such a meeting. I am not afraid of any format, bilateral (with the Russian president - TASS) or whatever. It does not matter. I am ready," he told a news conference attended by foreign mass media, telecast on the Ukraine-24 television channel.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Zelensky would be welcome in Russia for discussing normalization of bilateral relations, but if the Ukrainian leader wished to talk about Donbass, he should address the Contact Group to discuss the relevant subject.

Lavrov mentioned Moscow, St. Petersburg or Sochi as possible venues. In reply, Zelensky voiced surprise, why Sochi was mentioned as a likely site.

"What’s the point of inviting me to Sochi? To let me ski? What is it we are talking about? Serious things. Ok, let us meet in Odessa and take a swim in the sea. I am speaking about a serious dialogue. We have many challenges and many issues. Let us handle not all issues. Let us take one. Any. The exchange [of held persons], for instance," Zelensky said.

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Middle East conflict

Turkey seeks justice against Israel for genocide in Gaza — Erdogan’s Party

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Russian troops advance in areas north, south of Velikaya Novoselka in DPR — official

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Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

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Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

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Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

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US vote at UNSC rejected chance of stopping 'horrific bloodshed' in Gaza, Russian MFA says

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Ukraine’s former top commander sought to blow up Turkish Stream pipeline, report says

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Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

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Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

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Indonesia accepts invitation to become partner state in BRICS, ambassador announces

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Trump to continue using Ukraine to contain Russia — Valdai program director

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