Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed suggestions that Russia has plans to annex the south- eastern regions of Ukraine. The Head of State said in an interview with French television channel TF1.
"No, we have never done this and do not do . Ukrainian authorities today need to establish a dialogue with their own people, and not by force of arms , tanks, planes , and with the negotiation process, " - said the president.
Putin assured that in the south- eastern regions of Ukraine there are no Russian military specialists and army units . Head of State hopes that Ukrainian crisis will not become a new step of the Cold War , and its resolution will take place through peaceful dialogue . The Russian president also stressed that residents of the south- east of Ukraine should be able to assert their rights.