Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a speech to newly appointed foreign ambassadors, saying Moscow doesn't seek conflict. But he denounced Western countries for supporting Ukraine.
Putin spoke at a ceremony at the Kremlin on Tuesday to receive the credentials of 28 newly appointed ambassadors.
He added that Russia remains committed to the logic of mutually beneficial cooperation, and does not seek confrontation.
But Putin said the hostile course taken by a number of Western states to "escalate and prolong" the conflict in Ukraine is "profoundly misguided."
Russia is not only ready for negotiations with Ukraine but also led these negotiations at the very beginning of the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Putin stressed, "I have repeatedly said that Russia is not only ready for negotiations, but at a certain stage at the very beginning of this conflict it conducted these negotiations, and even a mutually acceptable agreement was developed, initialed by the Ukrainian side.
"Ukrainian side, following advice from outside, rejected this agreement," said Putin.
