The Russian president has said he has nothing against providing Ukraine with security guarantees, as long as they are not at Moscows expense

Wrapping up a four-day visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin fielded questions from the press on Wednesday.

Putin clarified that Moscow does not oppose the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine per se, but that they should not undermine the security of other nations, including Russia. The Kremlin continues to insist that Kiev not join NATO, but it could be a member of the European Union, the Russian president stated.

He also dismissed claims that Russia and the US had discussed "security guarantees in exchange for territories" during Putin's meeting with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in Alaska last month.

"To be honest, we are not so much fighting for territories - I'd like to stress - as for... the right of the people living in those territories to speak their native language, live within the framework of their culture and traditions," Putin said.

By way of example, he mentioned that the residents of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions had voted overwhelmingly in referendums to join Russia. "That's what democracy is all about," the Russian president declared.

Given US President Donald Trump's "sincere desire to find a solution" to the Ukraine conflict, "there is some light at the end of the tunnel," he stated.

Putin also reiterated his readiness in principle to meet with Vladimir Zelensky, including in Moscow, but said that a huge question mark still hangs over his legitimacy as Ukraine's leader.

Zelensky's presidential term expired last May, but he has refused to hold elections, citing martial law.

Watch Putin's press conference in full below for these and other topics he covered.

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(RT.com)