• published: 07 May 2014
• views: 883

Russia's President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May is a step "in the right direction". But he said the 25 May vote would decide nothing unless the rights of "all citizens" were protected. Mr Putin also urged pro-Russian activists in south-eastern Ukraine to call off a series of independence referendums planned for this weekend. It comes amid high tension between Russia and Kiev, and its allies in the West, over the crisis in Ukraine. Moscow says it will protect the rights of the largely Russian-speaking people in the south and east against what it calls an undemocratic government in Kiev. Kiev has rejected pro-Russian activists' demands for greater autonomy, fearing it could lead to the break-up of the country. Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown in February by pro-Western protesters. Earlier on Wednesday, pro-Russian separatists seized back the city hall in the southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol after it was briefly taken over by Ukrainian government forces. President Putin was speaking after talks in Moscow with Didier Burkhalter, the Swiss president and current chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In what appeared to be a softer stance than in recent weeks, Mr Putin said he had pulled back Russian forces from the border with Ukraine after "we were told constantly about concerns" over their positioning. He said the troops were now "in places of regular exercises, at training grounds". Mr Putin also said he had appealed for the referendums on greater autonomy planned for 11 May in southern and eastern Ukraine to be postponed "in order that conditions necessary for dialogue are created". TAGS: Ukrainian,Ukraine Protest,Ukraine Crisis,Ukraine Ex-Leader, Ukraine crisis: NATO chief Rasmussen says no Russian troop withdrawal seen Ukraine Crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout - Nato Ukraine Crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout Ukraine crisis: Putin 'orders partial withdrawal' Ukraine crisis: Nato sees 'no sign of Russian troop WITHDRAWAL Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin orders 'partial withdrawal' Ukraine crisis: Putin orders 'partial' troop pullout Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout 'No sign of Russian troop pullout Russia vows no Ukraine invasion as leaders seek solution Ukraine crisis: NATO chief says no Russian troop Ukraine crisis: Russia 'withdrawing troops from border Russia announces withdrawal of a battalion from Ukrainian Crimea crisis: Ukrainian troops pull out Crimea: EU's actions have 'provoked Russia The Ukrainian Crisis Timeline 'No sign' of Russian troop pullout | USA TOP NEWS Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout UPDATE 5-Russian prime minister angers Ukraine Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout Ukraine crisis: US troops land in Poland for exercises US troops arrive in Poland for exercises across Russia's Sergey Lavrov: U.S. 'running the show' in Kiev U.S. troops arrive in Poland for exercises amid Ukraine Ukraine crisis: UK RAF fighter jets scrambled to investigate Europe - US soldiers arrive in Poland as Ukraine crisis US troops arrive in Poland for exercises across Eastern US Troops Arrive in Poland for Exercises Across Eastern Ukraine crisis: US troops arrive in Poland Ukraine crisis: US troops land in Poland for exercises First American troops land in Poland for exercises Ukraine Crisis US Troops Land In Poland: Amid Tensions US troops arrive in Poland amid Ukraine crisis US troops land in Poland for exercises US Paratroopers in Poland for Joint Exercises First US troops land in Poland Ukraine crisis: G7 'to intensify Russia sanctions' G7 'to intensify Russia sanctions' Ukraine crisis: G7 agree new sanctions on Russia Swift, new sanctions to be imposed on Russia G7 leaders agree to swift new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine Crisis G7 agrees to impose new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine crisis Ukraine crisis: G7 imposes more sanctions on Russia Ukraine Crisis: G7 Leaders Agree On New Russia Ukraine PM Yatsenyuk accuses Russia of wanting war G7 promises to 'move swiftly' with sanctions against Russia G7 to 'move swiftly' on more Russia sanctions G7 leaders to impose further sanctions on Russia West to impose more sanctions on Russia Russia to face new sanctions over Ukraine crisis by G7 powers Ukraine crisis: G7 summit to discuss action against Russia Ukraine crisis: G7 commits to Russia sanctions Ukraine crisis: Pentagon says Russian jets violated airspace Russia's Role in Ukraine G7 leaders agree to impose new sanctions G7 agrees new Russia sanctions over Ukraine Ukraine crisis: Russia's Putin 'backs' 25 May election Putin Says Russia Forces Withdrew from Ukraine Border Russia's Putin 'backs' 25 May election Russia urges Ukraine to postpone presidential elections Ukraine: Putin calls for postponement of referendum on Both sides bury dead as Ukraine slides towards war