Kyiv: Soon after Russia offered to open a commuication channel with Ukraine on the condition that its Army "lays down weapons", Ukraine said that it wants peace and is ready for talks with Moscow, including on neutral status regarding NATO, news agency Reuters reported.
"If talks are possible, they should be held. If in Moscow they say they want to hold talks, including on neutral status, we are not afraid of this," Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters on Friday.
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"We can talk about that as well," he said via a text message.
This is the first time that the two nations, who are at loggerheads, have agreed for initial level talks to resolve the deadlock ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine from the air, sea and land on Thursday and his troops were advancing on the capital Kyiv on Friday.
"Our readiness for dialogue is part of our persistent pursuit of peace," Mykhailo Podolyak said further.
Ukraine's step towards dialogue comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that if Ukraine's military lays down army, Moscow would be ready for negotiations.
Lavrov, however, insisted that invading forces were seeking to liberate Ukraine from "oppression".
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"We are ready for negotiations at any moment, as soon as the armed forces of Ukraine respond to our call and lay down their arms," Lavrov was quoted by AFP in its report.
In terms of latest developments, Ukrainian Army has said that it is fighting the Russian troops in the outskirts of Kyiv as the invading forces are trying to advance to the capital city.
Reportedly, the Russian troops are advancing to the outskirts of Kyiv by unleashing tanks and airstrikes on the city from all three sides of the country.
(This is a developing story. More details awaited.)