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Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Ukrainian issue in a plenary meeting of the international economic forum in St Petersburg on June 20.

The Ukrainian crisis is a tragedy caused by the mistake of the West, he said, asserting this is the result of the action of those who do not accept the changes occurring throughout the world.

Though Russia has proposed discontinuing combat actions and reaching an agreement on several occasions, the West is trying to act with the posture of strength in connection with the situation surrounding Ukraine, he noted.

He said: Russia does not try to demand surrender from the Ukrainian side. Moscow has never denied Ukraine’s right to build an independent and neutral state. We advocate the acknowledgement of reality.