Putin prods all sides into resolving Ukraine crisis peacefully

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been trying to ask parties involved in Ukraine crisis to spare no effort in peacefully settling the situation.

"I propose both sides ... to take urgent measures to stop shelling at each other, as well as to immediately withdraw heavy weaponry," Russia's Channel One Television quoted Putin's message sent to his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko. "Recent development in southeastern Ukraine, the resumed shelling of settlement in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, cause grave concern and actually jeopardize the peace settlement process based on the September Minsk agreement of last year," Russia's Channel One Television quoted Putin as saying in the message.

Putin promised Russia is ready to work with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the weapon withdrawal by the conflicting sides in Ukraine.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed Sunday that Putin's weaponry withdrawal proposal was "rejected" by the Ukrainian side.

"The Ukrainian president received the letter on Friday morning . .. Unfortunately the Ukrainian side rejected the proposed plan without providing an alternative offer, meanwhile resuming military operations," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Peskov as saying.

The spokesman stressed that "Russia has consistently made efforts to mediate in the conflict in recent days."

Moreover, Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia is ready to "use its influence" and persuade the local insurgents to accept the weaponry withdrawal as "a good will gesture" to avoid more civilian deaths.

In an online statement, the ministry expressed deep concern over Kiev's increasing military presence in Donbas, a local name referring to eastern Ukraine.

"The intensive militarization, announcements of 'new waves' of Ukrainian citizens' mobilization, and appeals from Kiev to 'take revenge' for the situation 'on the ground' that has taken shape after the signature of the Minsk agreement" prove that the Ukrainian side was in defiance of the Minsk agreements, the ministry alleged in the statement.

According to the statement, the Kiev government allegedly took advantage of the recent ceasefire to regroup the forces and continue its military actions, while insisting on a force scenario to solve the crisis.

While calling for a strict adherence to the Minsk agreement by all parties, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow is doing everything in its power to make sure the contact group could meet early next week.

"We are urging its members and all those influencing the situation to prevent another negotiation breakdown," the ministry said, stressing that all sides should immediately return to practical work on "comprehensive implementation" of Minsk agreement. Endite