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Putin welcomes first contacts of Kiev authorities and federalization supporters

The Kremlin press service says "Russia calls for an immediate end to a punitive operation and the use of force, the withrawal of troops and the settlement of all problems solely by peaceful means”

MOSCOW, May 19. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin “welcomes first contacts between Kiev (authorities) and supporters of federalization on establishing a direct dialogue that must involve all interested parties,” the Kremlin press service reported on Monday.

“Russia calls for an immediate end to a punitive operation and the use of force, the withrawal of troops and the settlement of all problems solely by peaceful means,” the report said.

The Russian president also issued an order to return troops which participated in military exercises in Rostov-on-Don, Belgorod and Bryansk regions to their permanent bases.

“At the end of the planned spring stage of military training envisaging their redeployment and particularly held at firing ranges in Rostov-on-Don, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an order to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to bring back troops that participated in the war games to their permanent bases and continue combat training at nearby firing ranges,” the presidential press service said.