Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at a briefing during a visit to India, Sergei Lavrov said peace talks with Ukraine needed to continue but that Kyiv had shown "much more understanding" of the situation in Crimea and Donbas and the necessity of its neutral status.

Mr. Lavrov said Russia would be open to India mediating between Ukraine and Russia.

Spokesperson for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov said the same day that Ukraine’s helicopter attack on Russia’s oil depot in Belgorod do not create comfortable condition for the peace talks.

In another development, Peskov said Russia would not cut the oil supply to Europe on Friday despite the deadline set for the ruble payment. The statement was made one day after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree asking foreign buyers to pay in rubles for Russian gas beginning from April 1.