Russian leader hails readiness for talks with Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin has said in a telephone conversation with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa that he is ready to resume talks with the Ukrainian leadership.

The Russian leader briefed the king on the signing of treaties on the admission of the "Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics" and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation, the Kremlin press service has reported.

"It was also noted that the Russian side is ready to resume the negotiation process with the Kyiv authorities if they are interested," the press release said.

The sides also discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and expressed their mutual intention to develop "Russian-Bahrain relations in a traditionally friendly, mutually beneficial and constructive manner".