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Putin discusses situation in Ukraine, meeting with Hollande, Merkel with Security Council

The president and the Security Council discussed the situation in the south-east of Ukraine, particularly in the context of tomorrow’s meeting with Hollande and Merkel, Kremlin spokesman says

© Alexei Druzhinin/Russian presidential press service/TASS

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Kremlin expects constructive proposals on Ukraine from Hollande, Merkel

NOVO-OGAREVO, February 5. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in the south-east of Ukraine with permanent members of the Security Council, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday.

"They discussed in detail the situation in the south-east of Ukraine, particularly in the context of tomorrow’s meeting with French President [Francois] Hollande and German Chancellor [Angela] Merkel," Peskov said.

The presidential spokesman said that the Security Council session was attended by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, Presidential Chief of Staff Sergey Ivanov, Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov and permanent Security Council member Boris Gryzlov.

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France, Germany plan to work out new agreement on Ukrainian conflict settlement — Hollande

Earlier, Hollande said he would travel to Kiev with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday seeking a solution to the intensifying conflict in Ukraine’s south-eastern region of Donbas. On Friday, Hollande and Merkel will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting would take place. "I can confirm that indeed tomorrow (February 6) talks are planned between Putin, Merkel and Hollande," he said. "Leaders of the three countries will discuss what they can do to facilitate the end to the civil war in the south-east of Ukraine that has considerably intensified over the last few days and resulted in many casualties."

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Vladimir Putin Angela Merkel Dmitry Peskov Francois Hollande

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