Following the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian President Vladimir Putin held a press conference, where he touched upon the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Paralel.Az reports citing Sputnik International.

A ceasefire in Ukraine is impossible before the start of peace negotiations, Putin said.

Russia cannot declare a ceasefire in the hope of positive steps from the other side, he stated. Ending the conflict with Ukraine through mediators is impossible, Putin believes, but Russia welcomes mediation itself.