Putin calls to establish direct dialogue between parties to Ukrainian conflict

MOSCOW, May 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Kiev to stop economic blockade of Donbass and stressed the importance of a direct dialogue between the conflicting parties.

At a briefing after his talks with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday, he noted that the situation in eastern Ukraine had become calmer after the signing of the Minsk agreements of February 12, but still there were some problems.

"I am confident that a reliable and lasting settlement is only possible through a direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. I think it is a key condition for settlement in general," he said.

"We think it necessary to stop economic blockade, to restore financial and banking ties, and to conduct a constitutional reform with the participation of the country’s eastern regions," Putin said, adding that these were provisions of the Minsk agreements of February 12. He once again stressed these agreements must be implemented.