Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia hopes to avoid conflicts with Ukraine and the West.
Putin said at the annual press conference: “This is not our (preferred) choice, and we don’t want it.”
Putin said that Russia has generally received positive responses to its security proposals submitted to the United States this month, and negotiations will begin in Geneva early next year.
“I hope that the development of the situation will follow this path,” he said.
Russia rejected the allegations by Ukraine and the United States that Russia may prepare to invade Ukraine by tens of thousands of Russian troops preparing to be within the border as early as next month.
It said it needs Western commitments — including a commitment not to engage in NATO military activities in Eastern Europe — because Ukraine’s growing relationship with Western alliances and the possibility of NATO’s deployment of missiles on Ukrainian territory threaten its security.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
