Putin calls for compromise in Ukraine
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RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin publicly expressed support yesterday for Ukraine’s declaration of a cease-fire in its battle against pro-Russian militants and called on both sides to negotiate a compromise.
Putin said such a compromise must guarantee the rights of the Russian-speaking residents of eastern Ukraine, who must feel like they are “an integral part” of their own country.
Separatists in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions have declared independence and asked to join Russia. Moscow has rebuffed their appeals, but is seen by Ukraine and the West as actively supporting the insurgency.
The Kremlin initially dismissed the peace plan that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko laid out on Friday. But in a statement issued late Saturday, Putin said he welcomed the cease-fire and Poroshenko’s “intention to take other concrete steps to reach a peaceful settlement.”
As part of his plan, Poroshenko suggested a decentralization of power to give the regions more political authority. He also proposed new local and parliamentary elections, and measures to protect the language rights of Russian speakers in the east.
Putin was more specific yesterday, when he spoke publicly following ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany in 1941.
“That President Poroshenko announced a truce is without a doubt an important part of a final settlement, without which no agreement can be reached, and there is no doubt that Russia will support this intention, but in the end the most important thing is a political process,” Putin said.
Putin discussed the cease-fire yesterday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, Merkel’s office and the Kremlin said.
“After the Russian government too referred to the cease-fire in positive terms, the interlocutors emphasized the need for all sides to abide by it now and for a political dialogue to be put in motion,” Merkel’s office said in a statement. “Another topic of the conversation was the issue of securing the Ukrainian-Russian border.”
In Kiev, Poroshenko also addressed his nation on the day on which Ukrainians and Russians mourn the millions who died during World War II. He called for peace, but urged his people to be strong and united.
“Facing a real threat, we must unite even more and secure our historical choice, defend our right to live freely on our land,” Poroshenko said.
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