Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks during the briefing about foreign policy in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP, File))
"Even during the most difficult moments... we say: we are ready for negotiations," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in remarks aired on YouTube.
"We are always in favour of diplomacy," she told the Soloviev Live YouTube show.
She spoke after Putin recognised the independence of the former Soviet state's separatist-held Donetsk and Lugansk regions paving the way for the deployment of a potential invasion force.
Lavrov had said on Monday that he was set to meet with Blinken on Thursday in Geneva to address soaring tensions over Ukraine.
Moscow's move triggered international condemnation and a promise of targeted sanctions from the United States and the European Union.
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