During the conversation Mr Putin said that Russia feels great solidarity for the people of Ukraine and is deeply concerned by the potentially serious consequences the post-election crisis there could have for the country’s political and economic stability. Russia hopes the crisis will be resolved rapidly and in accordance with Ukraine’s laws and constitution.
Mr Putin also noted that the crisis must be settled by democratic means, that is to say, in keeping with the law, and not through external or internal pressure in favour of this or that political camp. Russia supports and will continue to support precisely this kind of democratic approach to resolving the crisis.