Putin Says Russia Was Ready for Talks, Blames Kyiv for Attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to resume talks with Kyiv after elections, but claimed Ukraine attacked polling stations. He also said Kyiv is raising the issue of a ceasefire in several areas and warned that escalating the situation will make things worse. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine's corrupt leadership of trading sovereignty for Western handouts and criticized Kyiv's attempts to create a "Carpathian Eight." She also said Ukraine's neighbors have no wish to join Kyiv's military adventures.