Putin says realistic dialogue with people in Ukraine’s East and South-East is necessary

MOSCOW, April 17 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s President Vladimir Putin says it is most important Ukraine’s current authorities begin without delay a dialogue with the country’s regions. “It is important the dialogue is not among themselves, but a true search for compromises,” he said adding Kiev’s authorities had visited the country’s regions to have meetings there not with the people, but with their own allies. Putin called as anti-constitutional the seizure of power in Kiev as Viktor Yanukovich made a decision to postpone signing of the association agreement with the European Union, as it threatened interests of the Ukrainian economy. Thus, began growing the nationalistic moods, and people in distanced regions began worrying for their own security. “Instead of organising a dialogue with the people’s leaders, the authorities in Kiev appointed their people to positions of regional governors - those are local oligarchs,” Putin said. “The people do not have trust to them believing they had stolen assets and made their wealth by exploitation of people; and now they are appointed regional heads.” “On the other hand, what did the authorities do with the people’s leaders - they have put them behind the bars,” the president added calling for liberation of those prisoners. “Instead of a dialogue, they offered added threats of power and sent against the civilians tanks and aviation,” Putin said. “This is another crime Kiev’s authorities are responsible for.” Putin also called very important beginning of the negotiations on Ukraine in Geneva. “It is very important to think jointly how to overcome the situation,” he said. “I hope it would become clear what dead-end Kiev’s authorities are approaching and besides pulling the country to there, too.” Learn more on itar-tass.com