Vladimir Putin Calls for 'Substantial Dialogue' Between Ukraine's Warring Sides

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called on Ukraine's leadership and rebels to start genuine dialogue, saying Kiev should halt military operations and guarantee the rights of Russian speakers in the separatist east.

"It's necessary to start detailed, substantial dialogue," Putin told reporters on Sunday, adding Moscow would support a peace plan drawn up by the Ukrainian leader.

"Russia will certainly support these intentions. But at the end of the day the most important thing is a political process. It's important for dialogue between all warring parties to originate on the basis of this peace plan," Putin said in televised remarks.