Russian President said he considers a meeting in the Normandy format pointless against the backdrop of Ukrainian saboteurs’ attempt to organize a terrorist atttack in Crimea.
“Of course, in these circumstances holding a meeting in the Normandy format, the more so in China, is pointless. Apparently, those who once seized power in Kiev and are still retaining it have shifted to terrorist practices instead of searching for compromises,… instead of searching for ways of a peaceful settlement,” Putin said.
Kiev earlier suggested holding a meeting in the Normandy format (bringing together the Russian, Ukrainian, French and German leaders) on the sidelines of the G20 meeting to be held in China on September 4-5. Moscow agreed with this proposal.
Putin also noted that Russia considers the recent assassination attempt of the head of the Lugansk People’s Republic an act of terrorism in the wake of the latest developments in Crimea.