There is genocide in Donbas - Putin

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - The events in Donbas are amounting to genocide, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Our assessment is that what's happening in Donbas is genocide," Putin told a press conference after Russian-German talks on Tuesday.

He was reacting to remarks made by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who drew comparisons with former Yugoslavia.

"There was a danger and threat of genocide there, this had to be thwarted. I am very pleased that everything there is now peacefully developing and the Balkan people have found a prospect towards the European Union, and all this is a very good sign," Scholz said.