World in a figurative sense

Vladimir Putin called on the separatists operating in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine to transfer the "referendums" on the status of these regions, appointed on May 11. It is reported by RIA "Novosti". The meaning of such a measure, according to Putin, is to "create the necessary conditions for this dialogue (" referendum ". - Ed.)."

As ITAR-TASS specifies , Putin made his statement on the results of negotiations with Switzerland President Didier Burkhalter, who is now also heading the OSCE. "" The most important thing is to establish a direct full -fledged dialogue between today's Kyiv authorities and the inhabitants of the southeast of Ukraine, during which representatives of the southeast could make sure that their legal rights will be guaranteed, "the Russian leader noted.

Putin also once again turned to the Ukrainian authorities with an appeal to stop the power operation in the east of the country. According to him, "this method of resolving an internal political conflict is not a reliable way to solve all domestic political disputes."

The President said that the presidential election in Ukraine is a movement in the right direction. However, he noted that citizens of the country should know in advance what constitutional reform will be.

In addition, Putin said that Russia had aircraft from the borders of Ukraine. “We were always told that our troops were worried on the Ukrainian border - we allocated them, they are not on the Ukrainian border today, but in places where they conduct their regular classes at the training grounds,” he said.

Burkhalter said that the OSCE prepared a "road map" by resolving the Ukrainian crisis. According to him, the plan can be reduced to four points. "This is a ceasefire, de -escalation of tension, establishing dialogue and elections," said Burkhalter. The OSCE offers specific steps in the implementation of these points.

On the eve of the press secretary of the US State Department, Jen Psaki said that Washington would not get referendum in Donetsk and Lugansk. "We strongly reject these illegal efforts that have the goal of further separation of Ukraine," she said. Psaki described the preparing “referendums” as “false”, also noting that they are “not in coordination with Ukrainian law”.

Almost at the same time, US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland threatened Russia with new sanctions if she tries to disrupt the presidential election in Ukraine or introduces troops into this country. “Strengthening sanctions against sectors (economics of Russia. - Ed.) Is a perfectly necessary step,” Nuland said. “He is a powerful tool, and, as you know, sanctions already affect the Russian economy.”

Later, on Tuesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union Katherine Ashton announced after a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry that the EU was ready for new sanctions against Russia . “Any additional steps destabilizing the situation in Ukraine will lead to additional, far -reaching consequences for our (with Russia. - Ed.) Relations on a wide range of aspects,” she said.