Russia has stated that its claims to five Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, are "essential" for negotiations to resolve the conflict.

"International recognition of Russia's ownership of Crimea, Sevastopol, the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions is imperative," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Brazilian newspaper O Globo, using the names the Kremlin uses for the Ukrainian regions.

Moscow also said it was ready to start peace talks with Ukraine without any preconditions after US President Donald Trump questioned Russian leader Vladimir Putin's willingness to end the three-year offensive, AFP reported.

"The Russian side has repeatedly confirmed its readiness, as confirmed by the president, to start negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. | BGNES