Putin says Ukrainian neutrality key to any settlement

SANAA, March 01 (YPA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis will only be possible if Kiev remains neutral and Moscow’s control over the Crimean Peninsula is formally recognized.

The Kremlin cited Putin as making the remarks in a telephone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Monday, during which the Russian leader also reiterated the need for Ukraine to be “de-Nazified” and “demilitarized.”

“Russia is open to talks with representatives of Ukraine and expects the talks to lead to the desired results,” the Kremlin added in a readout in the midst of the fifth day of a fierce conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Macron’s office said the French president had during the phone conversation reiterated the international community’s demands to halt Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Macron also called on Moscow to stop airstrikes in Ukraine, preserve the civilian infrastructure and provide safe access to key roads, especially in the south of Kiev.

“President Putin confirmed his willingness to commit on these three points,” the Elysee palace said, adding that Macron and Putin also agreed to stay in contact over the coming days.

In a televised address on February 24, Putin announced a “special military operation” aimed at “demilitarization” of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics in eastern Ukraine. The regions broke away from Ukraine in 2014 after refusing to recognize a Western-backed Ukrainian government that had overthrown a democratically-elected Russia-friendly administration.

E.M