Putin to settle Ukraine conflict by 'putting rebel regions under influence'
The Russian president says he will exert influence on Ukraine pro-Russian separatists at the press conference after negotiations with Angela Merkel.
Moscow will try to influence Donetsk and Lugansk authorities so that the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict ‘could be quick and of the needed quality’, Vladimir Putin promised. He made the statement at a press conference given after negotiations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow.
Putin urged the Ukrainian authorities to stop the economic blockade of Donets Basin, RBK reports. The Russian leader appealed for a direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. Both sides are dissatisfied with the fulfilment of Minsk agreements, he added. It is necessary to use OSCE instruments to control the way peaceful agreements are observed, Putin believes.
