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Kiev wants peace and is ready to discuss Ukraine’s neutral status with Russia if such an option exists, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhail Podolyak told Reuters on Friday, according to TASS.

"If talks are possible, they should be held. If in Moscow they say they want to hold talks, including on neutral status, we are not afraid of this," he pointed out, adding: "We can talk about that as well." "Our readiness for dialogue is part of our persistent pursuit of peace," Podolyak emphasized.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky called on Russia to engage in talks with Kiev as soon as possible in order to minimize losses from military activities. He stated earlier that he was not afraid to discuss Ukraine’s neutral status and security guarantees with Russia. 

On Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian territories.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported later that the Russian troops were not delivering strikes against Ukrainian cities. The ministry emphasized that the Ukrainian military infrastructure was being destroyed by precision weapons and there was no threat to civilians.