Putin expresses intention to talk about 'war in Ukraine' ahead of Trump's inauguration

Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrates the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump and says he is willing to talk to the Trump administration in the U.S. about Ukraine.

Putin made the remarks in a video conference of the Russian National Security Council hours before Trump's inauguration on the 20th local time.

"The goal should be to achieve permanent peace, not a short-term ceasefire," Putin said on the Ukraine issue. "The most important thing is to eliminate the root cause of the crisis."

He also said he welcomed Trump's stance that he should restore direct contact with Russia and do everything to prevent World War III.

"Russia has never refused to talk and has always been ready to maintain equal relations and cooperation with any U.S. government," he said.

Putin also claimed he could talk to Trump about nuclear weapons.