Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged Kiev to allow Ukrainian soldiers who are encircled by pro-Russian rebels in the town of Debaltseve to lay down their weapons.
"I hope that the Ukrainian authorities are not going to prevent the Ukrainian soldiers from laying down their weapons," Putin said in a press conference in Budapest, adding that he also hoped Kiev would not take legal action against the troops if they chose not to fight.
Putin said the Ukraine conflict could not be solved by "military means".