Lasting ceasefire indispensable in Ukraine — Putin

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the need for a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine ten hours before the truce expires.
“Ukraine should embark on the path of peace, dialogue and accord. The priority is to conduct substantial talks between the authorities in Kiev and the south-east,” Putin said on Friday.
“We stand for the complete termination of bloodshed on the whole territory of Ukraine, including along our borders,” he said.
Russia is doing its best to contribute to the peace process, Putin said.
Attempts to make Ukraine to choose between Russia and Europe pushed the country to the split, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin added.

Putin voiced concern over the continuing events in Ukraine.
“The anti-constitutional coup d’etat in Kiev pushed the country to painful confrontation,” Putin said on Friday.
“First of all, peaceful civilians fall victims of such events. The blood is shed in the country’s southeast. The state faces the real humanitarian catastrophe. Dozens of thousands of refugees have to search for shelter in Russia. Journalists are persecuted and killed. In violation of all norms and conventions diplomats are attacked,” he said.
Putin mentioned the incidents with the Russian Embassy in Kiev and the Consulate-General in Odessa.