He emphasized that if agreements on long-term peace are reached, there will be no sense in the presence of a NATO contingent in Ukraine.

" Russia will respect the security guarantees that must be made for both the Russian Federation and Ukraine. If a long-term peace agreement is reached, Moscow will fully implement it," Putin pointed out.

The Russian leader added that serious talks on security guarantees with Russia have not yet taken place.

When it comes to direct contacts with the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, Putin said that he does not see much sense in it, but that Russia is ready if Kiev proposes such talks.

"Now it is practically impossible to reach an agreement on key issues. In Kyiv, most likely, there will be no political will for an agreement," Putin pointed out.

He also added that Moscow would be the best place to hold Russia-Ukraine negotiations at the highest level.