Putin seeks compromise
Putin is supports Ukraine’s cease-fire declaration and is now asking for both sides to reach a compromise. Putin says the compromise must guarantee the rights of the Russian-speaking residents of eastern Ukraine. They must feel they are an “integral part” of their own country. The comments were made today following a ceremony commemorating the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union on this day in 1941.
Military power use revoked
A vote by the upper parliament prevents Putin from using troops in Ukraine to deal with the crisis. Putin had requested the order be revoked on June 24. Only one lawmaker votes against revoking his power to use force, 153 vote in favor.
Calls for closer US ties
In a Fourth of July message to President Obama, Putin says he hopes for better ties with the US. According to the Kremlin’s website, Putin:
expressed a hope for the successful development of the relationship between both countries, based on equal rights and utilitarianism, despite all the difficulties and disagreements they are facing at the moment
The response from The White House from National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden:
We’ve seen the message but have no particular comment.
Dutch PM asks Putin to use his power
With almost two-thirds of the people killed in the crash of flight MH17 being Dutch, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, urges President Vladimir Putin to use his power to influence the rebels to allow full access to the crash site. In a press briefing he says:
I want to see results in the form of unimpeded access and rapid recovery. This is now priority number one.