Putin says ready for compromises on Ukraine

MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - Russia is ready for both talks and compromises in the Ukraine settlement process, yet the other side should be equally prepared, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Politics is the art of compromise. We have always said that we are ready for both talks and compromises. It is just that the adverse side, in the literal and figurative sense of this word, has rejected talks. Whereas we have always been ready. Talks always result in compromises," Putin told the press on Thursday.

"We are ready, yet the other side also needs to be ready for talks and compromises," he said.

In fact, Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement in Istanbul in 2022, but Kiev renounced it later, Putin said.

"The Ukrainian side initialed that document, which means it expressed its general consent. Then it was renounced for some reason. Well, it is clear why. Because your ally, Mr. Johnson [Boris Johnson, then British prime minister] came on a visit, a man with a good haircut, and told them they should fight to the last Ukrainian," he said.