© Reuters/B.RentsendorjRussian President Vladimir Putin
President Putin has outlined a seven-point plan to stabilize the situation in the crisis-torn east of Ukraine.
๏ปฟ"On my way here from [the city of] Blagoveschensk to Ulan-Bator [Mongolia], I outlined some ideas and plan of actions. It's here, but in handwriting," Putin told reporters.๏ปฟ
1. Stop offensive of armed self-defense forces in southeastern Ukraine towards Donetsk and Lugansk Regions.
2. Pull back Ukrainian armed forces to a distance that excludes the possibility of shelling settlements with artillery and all kinds of volley fire.
3. To implement full and objective international control over the observance of the ceasefire and monitoring of the situation created thereby in the security zone.
4. To exclude the use of combat aircraft against civilians and villages in the conflict zone.
5. Organize the exchange of persons kept in captivity via an 'all-in-all' formula, without any preconditions.
6. Open humanitarian corridors for moves of refugees and delivery of humanitarian goods to cities and other populated areas of Donbass - the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions.
7. To provide direct access of repair crews to destroyed social and carrying infrastructure in affected towns of Donbass, and provide aid to them.
Putin expressed hope that final agreements between Kiev and militia in southeastern Ukraine could be reached and secured at the coming meeting of the so-called contact group on September 5.
"I hope the leaders of Ukraine will support the anticipated progress in bilateral relations," Russia's president said.He called on Ukraine to take an active part in the work of the contact group "for a final and comprehensive settlement of the situation in the southeastern Ukraine, of course, with full and unconditional assurance of the legitimate rights of the people who live there."
Commenting on the phone call with the Ukrainian president earlier on Wednesday, Putin stressed that their "views on ways to resolve the conflict are aligned."
I too think it might be wishful thnking, considering with whom he is dealing. Ukraine has broken every agreement they have signed so far and only used ceasefires and humanitarian corridors to reorganise their troops. But I understand also that Putin wishes to give peace a try or at least propose a peaceful solution. Whether it will be accepted is of course not in his hands.