MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. Russia would like to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible, specifically through peaceful negotiations, President Vladimir Putin stated at the plenary session of the 23rd meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

"Of course, we would like to end all this [the Ukrainian conflict] as quickly as possible - and do so through peace negotiations," Putin emphasized. "We simply need to stop the accusations that Russia does not want these negotiations. Instead, based on the realities on the ground, both Ukraine and its Western backers - primarily, of course, those in Europe today - need to make responsible decisions."