MOSCOW, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia remains open to contacts and negotiations with European countries when not under ultimatums, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in regular press briefing on Friday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Photo: Xinhua)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that Russia is ready for negotiations and contacts with Europe and was not responsible for the suspension of ties, Peskov said.

"Europeans are mistaken in believing that negotiations with Russia should be conducted from a position of strength and based on the assumption that Russia is weak," he said, adding that such an approach would lead nowhere.

Peskov said that if political forces emerge in Europe that recognize the need to resume dialogue with Russia without issuing ultimatums or attempting to lecture Moscow, Russia would be willing to engage.