RIA Novosti: Moscow to Push for Dialogue on Ukraine Crisis – Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, August 29 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow will help in negotiations between the warring sides in Ukraine and is taking steps toward a de-escalation of the conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.

“Russia will consistently help in creating the conditions for transferring the situation into a negotiation channel through strengthening trust between the warring sides, taking concrete measures on de-escalating the situation, and helping the population suffering from the humanitarian catastrophe,” the ministry said, once again supporting a peaceful resolution to all problems.

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin also called for a conciliatory dialogue among all the sides of the conflict. Speaking at the Seliger youth forum Friday, Putin said that the “fratricidal war must be stopped immediately,” but noted that the Kiev government prefers the language of ultimatums.

On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is open to a dialogue about the crisis in Ukraine in any format, including the so-called “Normandy format.”

Ukraine’s southeastern regions never recognized the legitimacy of the new authorities that took over the country after the February 22 regime change. The regions protested the new government and held referendums on self-determination, voting to separate from Ukraine. In return, Kiev launched a military operation to crack down on the independence supporters.

Moscow continues to insist on an immediate end to the “punitive operation” in eastern Ukraine, which, from mid-April through August 27, claimed the lives of more than 2,500 civilians and injured 6,000, according to the United Nations.