Russia is not isolated and is open to negotiations, the president has said Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected claims that he deliberately avoids talking with Western leaders, insisting that Moscow remains open to negotiations. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan on Thursday, Putin stated that Moscow “never shunned contacts.” “When we hear… that I avoid talking to some European leaders, let me tell you: that is a lie,” he