Russia ready for talks with Ukraine based on today's reality, Istanbul agreements - Putin

SOCHI. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine, but these should be based on today's reality, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We are ready for peace negotiations, though not on the basis of some wishes, whose names change every month, but on the basis of circumstances as they emerging, and on the basis of the agreements reached in Istanbul. On the basis, given today's reality," Putin said at a plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club on Thursday.

Such talks should focus not on reaching "truce for a half hour or half a year so they can get another shipment of shells, but for creating favorable environment for restoring the relations, future cooperation in the interests of both nations, which are certainly fraternal, however compounded by today's tragic events in Russia-Ukraine relations," Putin said.