MOSCOW/MARIUPOL - Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Aug. 31 for immediate talks on the "statehood" of southern and eastern Ukraine, although his spokesman said this did not mean Moscow now endorsed rebel calls for independence for territory they have seized.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Reuters: Putin calls for talks on east Ukraine ‘statehood’; rebels fire on ship
Russia's President Vladimir Putin gives a press conference after a summit in Minsk early on Aug. 27, 2014.
