PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, September 5. /TASS/. The current tragedy in Donbass was caused by the neo-Nazi regime, which seized power through force in 2014 and launched military action in the region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"The tragedy taking place in Donbass resulted from the actions of the nationalist, neo-Nazi regime, which seized power through force in 2014 and then launched combat activities in Donbass," Putin said speaking at a meeting with environmental forum participants in Kamchatka, in Russia’s Far East.
"It twice held large-scale military operations using heavy firepower, aviation, heavy weapons, and so forth. And this is all continuing to this day."
"Our duty is to help these people and Russia is doing that," he noted.
According to Putin, Moscow’s attempts to resolve the conflict by peaceful means fell through due to Kiev’s intransigence.
"We definitely had to help and we are now assisting people living in Donbass," the Russian president added.
