Putin says he’s convinced solution to Ukraine crisis possible

Russian president Vladimir Putin stated in an interview to a German broadcaster on the 16 November 2014 that he was convinced it should be possible to find a way to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, while adding he was concerned about the threat of ethnic cleansing.

Mr Putin also defended Crimea's annexation and rejected any violation of international law.

NATO warned on 18 November 2014 of a 'build-up' of 'Russian forces' in and around Ukraine, one day after EU foreign ministers shied away from Russia criticism.

However, the EU's Foreign Affairs Council on 17 November 2014 tried a new approach on Russia's attitude by toning down rhetoric and rejecting to decide on further sanctions. For more information on this subject, please click here.

Russia warned the United States on 20 November 2014 against supplying arms to Ukrainian forces fighting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, hours before US Vice-President Joe Biden was due to arrive in Kyiv.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Ukraine says Russian military column has entered east of country http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-says-russian-military-column-has-entered-east-of-country/

EUObserver, 17.11.14: Merkel: Russia cannot veto EU expansion http://euobserver.com/foreign/126540

Deutsche Welle, 17.11.14: Merkel warns of wide-spreading consequences of Ukraine conflict http://dw.de/p/1DoUw

EUObserver, 18.11.14: Nato warns of Russian military build-up, amid EU peace talks http://euobserver.com/foreign/126562

The New York Times, 18.11.14: Putin says he's convinced solution to Ukraine crisis possible http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/world/europe/russia-deports-german-polish-diplomats-retaliation.html

Deutsche Welle, 18.11.14: NATO calls on Russia to pull back forces from Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1Dp7L

Sputnik International, 18.11.14: Kiev Invites Russia to Hold Serious Talks on East Ukraine: Yatsenyuk http://sputniknews.com/europe/20141118/1014876526.html

RT, 17.11.14: Russia fears ethnic cleansing in Ukraine amid rise of neo-Nazism – Putin http://rt.com/news/206055-putin-ukraine-ethnic-cleansing/

The Moscow Times, 18.11.14: NATO Sees 'Serious Military Buildup' on Russia-Ukraine Border http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/nato-sees-serious-military-buildup-on-russia-ukraine-border/511344.html

EurActiv, 19.11.14: Steinmeier pessimistic after talks on Ukraine in Kyiv, Moscow http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/steinmeier-pessimistic-after-talks-ukraine-kyiv-moscow-310130

Euro|Topics: Who's saying what?: Chilled relations between Russia and the West http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links-2014-11-putin/

EurActiv [Interview], 19.11.14: Ukrainian Archbishop: Russia is building a new Berlin wall http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/ukrainian-archbishop-russia-building-new-berlin-wall-310146

EurActiv, 19.11.14: Kyiv refuses talks with Russian-backed separatists http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/kyiv-refuses-talks-russian-backed-separatists-310148

BBC News, 20.11.14: Almost 1,000 dead since east Ukraine truce - UN http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30126207

The Guardian, 19.11.14: Putin gives envoy cool welcome after declaring US 'wants to subjugate' Russia http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/19/new-us-ambassador-russia-john-tefft-putin

Deutsche Welle, 19.11.14: Steinmeier sees long road to Ukraine calm http://dw.de/p/1Dq4m

EurActiv, 21.11.14: Moscow warns Washington against sending arms to Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/moscow-warns-washington-against-sending-arms-ukraine-310211

Russia: Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union: President Vladimir Putin's Interview with German TV channel ARD, November 2014 http://www.russianmission.eu/en/president-vladimir-putins-interview-german-tv-channel-ard

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