Russian President Vladimir Putin said "Russia is ready to negotiate with all participants to the conflict in Ukraine, but they refuse," Sputnik News reported on Sunday.

Putin made the remarks in an interview with Rossiya 1 state television which aired on Sunday.

He said Russia was acting in the "right direction" in Ukraine because the West, led by the United States, was trying to cleave Russia apart.

"I believe that we are defending our national interests, the interests of our citizens, our people. And we have no other choice but to protect our citizens," Putin said.

In the wake of Putin's comments, Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak posted on his Twitter account that "Russia doesn't want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility."

He accused Russia of "single-handedly" attacking Ukraine and killing citizens. "There are no other 'countries, motives, geopolitics,'" he said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for his people to stick to fighting against Russian attacks and create their own Christmas miracle during an address on Saturday, the eve of Christmas.

Earlier on Saturday, a Russian strike on Ukraine's recently recaptured city of Kherson killed at least 10 people and wounded 58, according to Ukrainian officials. However, a pro-Moscow official said the Ukrainian forces had launched the attack in a bid to blame the Russian military.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his briefing after the State Council meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, December 22, 2022. /CFP)