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Russian President Vladimir Putin

KHABAROVSK. — Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Kiev to start substantial talks on de-escalating the crisis in eastern Ukraine. He added that it’s an illusion to expect that the rebels would calmly watch their homes being destroyed. “We have agreed on a plan, so its realisation must be pursued,” Putin told Channel 1 TV, adding that the Ukrainian government “must immediately start substantial talks – not a technical discussion – on the political organisation of society and the state in southeast
Ukraine so that the interests of people who live there are protected.”

The plan, according to Russia’s leader, puts negotiations at the centre of the peace process. In a clear reference to the toppling of Viktor Yanukovich by the Maidan movement in February, Putin said that mistakes such as a power takeover should be avoided and called it the main cause of today’s crisis.
The Russian president called on Kiev to consider the upcoming autumn and winter period and think about the heating season.

The devastated infrastructure of the southeast requires full repair otherwise people might just freeze to death, he said.
“It looks as if only Russia cares about that. The first most essential condition is to stop combat operations and begin reconstruction of the infrastructure, replenish inventories, do the necessary repairs and scheduled maintenance to be ready for the cold season.”

Putin said that, while the resolution of the crisis now mostly depends on Kiev, it is impossible to say when it may end. He said it could be explained by the upcoming
Ukrainian parliamentary elections.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko dismissed the country’s parliament on August 25 and called parliamentary elections for October 26.
“All the participants in the electoral race will want to show how cool they are,” Putin said. — RT.