Putin tells Xi Ukraine conflict settlement should aim to achieving lasting peace - Kremlin aide Ushakov

MOSCOW. Jan 21 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated in a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping that a Ukraine settlement should be focused not on a brief ceasefire but on a lasting peace based on Russia's interests, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said.

"As for a Ukraine settlement as such, as the president emphasized the other day and as he also spoke about this today, the goal of a settlement should be not some brief ceasefire, and not some respite, but a lasting peace based on respecting our objective interests," Ushakov told journalists following a video call between Putin and Xi.