ASTANA. July 4 (Interfax) - Russia could turn to Verkhovna Rada directly over the question of settling the conflict with Ukraine, but this is pointless, given the power usurpation by the country's current government, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Turning to Rada is possible, of course, but in conditions of power usurpation by the ruling top in Ukraine, this is pointless, because a majority in Rada are subordinated to this so-called ruling top," Putin told journalists in Astana on Thursday.
The current leadership in Ukraine "is in power illegally and has not even asked the Constitutional Court to confirm its powers," he said.
"All powers should go to Rada, but it is not taking on these powers. So, turning [to Rada] is possible, of course, but based on the practical situation, based on what is happening in real life, this is more or less pointless," Putin said.