Conflict in Ukraine, Russia ready to resume talks

The Russian leader said he is open to resume negotiations under international frameworks.

Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenskiy, have discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine in their first telephone conversation.

“The leaders discussed issues of a solution to Ukraine's southeast and co-operation in returning prisoners from both sides,” said the Kremlin in a statement.

“They agreed to continue this job at the expert level. ”

Meanwhile, just earlier Thursday, Putin said it would be open to resume peace talks under the format of Normandy, which includes Germany and France. But he said it was unclear whether other countries, such as the US and Great Britain, would be willing to join the negotiations at the time.