Moscow is ready for negotiations on the issue of Ukraine, but taking into account the reality on the ground and Russia's security interests, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS on Thursday. 

"Our position remains valid - we are ready to negotiate, but considering the reality that has been created on the ground and our position, which is well known to everyone, the interests of preventing the creation of a Nazi regime by hostile forces on the borders of Russia," Lavrov said.

Lavrov previously claimed the longer Kyiv delayed negotiations with Moscow, the more difficult the dialogue could be. 

He noted the initial step for such contacts should be the cancellation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decree banning dialogue with Moscow.