Putin's aide: Russia is ready to resume talks with Ukraine 

Russia is ready to resume talks with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, the aide to the Russian president Vladimir Putin, told Belarusian ONT TV channel.

"We are ready to resume the dialogue," he added. "But I will emphasize again: the ball is on the Ukrainian side to continue peace talks. The freezing of the talks is entirely Ukraine's initiative."

According to him, Russia has never refused the talks: "Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly confirmed this. However, serious preparations are needed for the summit between the presidents."