Russia's President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May is a step "in the right direction". But he said the vote would decide nothing unless the rights of "all citizens" were protected. Ukraine's prime minister described as "hot air" Mr Putin's call for an independence referendum, planned this weekend by separatists in the east, to be delayed.
BBC: Russia’s Putin ‘backs 25 May election’
Russia's President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May is a step \"in the right direction.\"
