Putin: Contact With Separatists Essential for Success of Minsk Agreement

Russian president Vladimir Putin said that despite agreeing on the “key issues”, direct contacts with representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk separatists was “essential” for the future success of the Minsk Agreement.

Putin made the comments in a statement after the Minsk talks in Belarus on February 12 following the announcement of a ceasefire between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces that is due to begin at midnight on February 15.

Putin said, “Unfortunately the Kiev authorities still refuse to have direct contacts with representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Even though they have not been recognised, we have to proceed from the realities of life and if everyone wishes to achieve an agreement on establishing long-term relations, direct contacts are essential.”

“We agreed on a ceasefire to begin at midnight on February 15 [and the] withdrawal of heavy weapons from the current line of confrontation,” he added. Credit: YouTube/ kremlin