MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian conflict settlement process is stalling, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Together with Alexander Grigoryevich [Lukashenko, Belarusian President] we touched on the problems of the conflict inside Ukraine. The settlement process is still stalling. Despite all our efforts, the communication at the level of advisors to the Normandy-format leaders and our consultations with partners on this issue are not helping either," Putin said during a press conference after Russian-Belarusian talks on Friday.
Kyiv is not honoring the Minsk Agreements and has categorically refused to talk to Donetsk and Luhansk directly, thereby "essentially derailing the implementation of agreements on constitutional changes, a special status for Donbas, local elections, and an amnesty," Putin said.
"Overall, human rights in Ukraine are being massively and systemically violated, the discrimination of the Russian-speaking population is enshrined at the legislative level," he said.