MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - The crisis in Ukraine cannot be solved by the further escalation of force without taking into account the interests of those in the southeast of the country and a peaceful dialogue, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
“We are ready to exchange opinions on the acute crisis situation in Ukraine that we are sure cannot be solved by the further escalation of force without taking into account the essential interests of the country’s southeastern regions and without dialogue with their representatives,” Putin said.
Since Kiev launched special military operation against independence supporters in southeastern Ukraine in April, hundreds of people, including civilians, children, and journalists on professional duty have died in the region.
Heavy clashes and shelling by the Ukrainian army have led to the humanitarian crisis in the area, water and power shortages.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Kiev to stop the bloodshed and start the peaceful dialogue instead.
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow is ready to discuss situation in Ukraine in any format and to participate in comprehensive talks.
“We are more than ready, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized this several times, to any format as long as there is some sort of a result. As soon as we started to move away from the military conflict in Ukraine, a civilian war, to national dialogue, to forming a national unity, on that need that was agreed on February 21…,” Lavrov said.
Earlier in July, Lavrov said that Russia will do its utmost to create conditions for negotiations between the conflicting parties in order to find the political solution “that would ensure the rights of all the citizens and regions of Ukraine.”
