Putin concerned over shelling of civilian facilities by Ukrainian servicemen

“The Russian side stressed its concern in connection with more frequent incidents of shelling by the Ukrainian army of civilian facilities that resulted in deaths of civilians,” Kremlin reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, expressed concern over shelling by Ukrainian servicemen of civilian facilities, the Kremlin reported Friday.

“The Russian side stressed its concern in connection with more frequent incidents of shelling by the Ukrainian army of civilian facilities that resulted in deaths of civilians,” the statement said.
“They exchanged opinions on possible additional measures designed to ensure strict observation of the ceasefire regime and de-escalation of tensions,” it said.

The Kremlin said “the crisis situation in Ukraine was discussed in the context of the necessity to implement by southeast conflict participants of all items of the Package of Measures agreed in Minsk on February 12 this year.”
“It was noted that rigorous implementation of the agreements on withdrawal of heavy armaments under OSCE supervision and establishment of demilitarized zones at the contact line is important,” the statement said.

The Kremlin said “special attention will be paid to the activity of four working subgroups in the framework of the Contact Group.”

“The leaders discussed the course of implementation of the Minsk agreements, including the schedule of continuation of contacts at the expert level,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The Kremlin press service used only that wording. As for the Elysee Palace in Paris, it said the agreement has been reached that the next meeting in the Normandy format (Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine) at the level of deputy foreign ministers or political directors will be held June 10 in Paris.