Putin: Dialogue Needed in Ukraine, But Kiev Prefers Ultimatums

© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Klimentiev / Go to the mediabankA reconciliation dialogue is needed in Ukraine, but the Kiev government prefers the language of ultimatums, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
A reconciliation dialogue is needed in Ukraine, but the Kiev government prefers the language of ultimatums, Russian President Vladimir Putin said - Sputnik International
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A reconciliation dialogue is needed in Ukraine, but the Kiev government prefers the language of ultimatums, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Seliger youth forum Friday.

MOSCOW, August 29 (RIA Novosti) – A reconciliation dialogue is needed in Ukraine, but the Kiev government prefers the language of ultimatums, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Seliger youth forum Friday.

“We have repeatedly discussed [dialogue] with the Ukrainian leadership, with the United States and European countries. The fratricidal war must be stopped immediately, and [the sides] should sit at the negotiating table," the president said.

He added that the Ukrainian government’s unilateral one-week ceasefire that took place this summer was followed by the announcement that “everyone who refuses to lay down weapons [during the seven days of the ceasefire] will be killed.”

“Was this a way to launch negotiations? No, this was an ultimatum,” Putin said. “Naturally, the people who took weapons to defend themselves, their lives and their dignity rejected these terms.”

Russia has repeatedly called for dialogue among all parties involved in the Ukrainian conflict.

Earlier today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is open to dialogue over the crisis in Ukraine in any format, including the so-called “Normandy format.”

Ukraine’s southeastern regions never recognized the legitimacy of the new authorities that took over the country after the February 22 regime change. They protested against the new government and held referendums on self-determination, voting to separate from Ukraine. In return, Kiev launched a military operation to crack down on the independence supporters.

Moscow continues to insist on an immediate end to the “punitive operation” in eastern Ukraine, which from mid-April till August 27, claimed the lives of more than 2,500 civilians and resulted in 6,000 injured, according to the United Nations.

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