MOSCOW -- Russia remains "open to negotiations" on Ukraine and expects "readiness" from Ukraine, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

In a written interview with Brazilian newspaper O Globo posted on the foreign ministry's website Monday, Lavrov said that Washington has become more aware of Russia's stance on Ukrainian settlements through its contacts with Moscow.

Lavrov held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday. Both sides stressed the importance of consolidating the emerging prerequisites for starting peace talks on Ukraine, according to a press release from the ministry.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has repeatedly confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to start the negotiation process with Ukraine without any preconditions."