Putin says Russia open to dialogue with Trump administration

He made this statement during a meeting of the Russian Security Council.

According to Putin, the goal of negotiations with the new U.S. administration should be "not a short-term ceasefire, but a long-term peace based on the respect of the legitimate interests of all peoples living in this region."

"Certainly, we welcome this mood and the elected president of the United States as he takes office. I emphasize, we have never refused dialogue and have always been ready to maintain equal relations of cooperation with any U.S. administration," the Russian leader said.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of a dialogue based on equality and emphasized that the main issue to resolve is "the root cause of the conflict in Ukraine."

• Donald Trump has instructed his aides to arrange a phone call with Vladimir Putin "a few days" after his inauguration.