Call Russia's Task To Help Donbass, President Putin: I Know What I'm Talking About

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source: TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev)

JAKARTA - Russia's task is to help people living in Donbass, while all efforts to resolve the situation peacefully end in failure due to Kyiv's position, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday at a meeting with environmental forum participants taking place in Kamchatka.

"It is our duty to help these people (who live in Donbass) and this is what Russia is doing. All our efforts to resolve this issue peacefully have failed due to the position of the Kyiv regime," he said.

Furthermore, President Putin noted that he was surprised by the courage of the Donbass residents to defend their republic on the front lines.

"I assure you, I know what I'm talking about, because I flew here right after another report from the leadership of the Ministry of Defense (about what happened)," said President Putin.

"They are not professional soldiers, local residents form two units, but they fight better than professional soldiers. They fight very brave, brave and effectively," said President Putin.

But, apart from people who are brave and strong, there are many professionals in the republic, the president added. "Both are kind, professional, and in line with positive work in their fields: arts, education, and environmental protection," he said.

"And of course, like in other areas, in housing recovery, in industrial revival, agriculture. We also have to help people like that. And, of course, we will," concluded Putin.