Putin Demands Ukraine Pull Forces From Southwest

In a conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Putin demands that Ukraine must remove its military from the southeastern region of the country to resolve the show-down there with Russian militants.  He emphasizes that in addition to all military being removed, violence must be stopped and a national dialogue be launched as part of the constitutional reform process involving all regions and political forces. Christina Wirtz, a spokeswoman for Chancellor Merkel,  told Interfax that the Chancellor “reminded President Putin of Russia’s responsibility as a member of the O.S.C.E. and called on the president to use his influence.”