Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were put on pause by the Ukrainian side, Interfax reported.

According to him, Moscow is ready to return to the negotiation process as soon as Kiev confirms its readiness to do so.

"As soon as our Ukrainian partners express their willingness to return to the negotiating table, we will of course respond positively. The main thing is to have something to discuss," he stressed.