Russia's Interests non-negotiable, Ready for diplomatic solutions, Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is ready to look for diplomatic solutions amid raging tensions with the West over Ukraine but stressed that the country's interests were non-negotiable. Putin said this in a video address to mark the Defender of the Fatherland Day on Wednesday. He said  Russia is always open for direct and honest dialogue, for the search for diplomatic solutions to the most complex problems.  Deputy Chief of Mission of Russian Embassy in India, Roman Babushkin has expressed hope that India - Russia partnership will continue at the same level as it is currently. He said India and Russia have a lot of big projects in the pipeline and exuded confidence that all plans will be successfully implemented. Briefing media in Delhi on sanctions against Russia and its impact on cooperation with India, the Deputy Chief of Mission mentioned the outcomes of recent Russian-Indian bilateral summit in December last year. He said both countries signed the program of 10 years cooperation in the defence area in the sidelines of the Summit. 
In a related development, New Zealand's government  summoned Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev to meet with top diplomatic officials who are urging Russia to return to diplomatic negotiations over Ukraine.  New Zealand's neighbour, Australia announced sanctions on eight of President Vladimir Putin's top security advisors. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has cancelled his scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov later this week in protest against Russia's stand on Ukraine.