With the epicentre of fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces having moved to the capital city of Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed the nation's security council about the military operation.
Putin sent mixed signals to Ukraine and the world. After reports that the Russian government was ready to send a delegation to Belarus capital Minsk for talks, Putin called the Ukraine government a "gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis". He also encouraged the Ukrainian army to overthrow the government and take control.
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Putin said, "Once again, I appeal to the servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Don't let neo-Nazis and Banderites use your children, your wives and old people as human shields. Take power into your own hands. It seems that it will be easier for us to come to terms with you than with this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis, who settled in Kyiv and took all Ukrainian people hostage."
Earlier, Moscow had said it was ready for talks if Ukraine lay down arms.