Putin reveals "7-point plan" for ceasefire in Ukraine

Putin reveals "7-point plan" for ceasefire in Ukraine

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented a 7-point plan to cease hostilities in Ukraine.

The plan was announced after his telephone conversation with Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko earlier in the day on Wednesday.

RT is reporting that Putin told journalists he had "outlined some ideas and a plan of action" while on his way to Ulan-Bator in Mongolia.

According to the website, the plan envisages militias ceasing military advances in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions; pro-Kiev armed forces withdrawing to a distance that excludes the possibility of shelling settlements; implementation in full and objective international control over ceasefire observation and monitoring; as well as exclusion of the use of combat aircraft against civilians and villages.

Putin further proposes prisoner/captive-exchange via an "all-in-all formula, without preconditions, humanitarian corridors for refugees movement and delivery of humanitarian aid across Donetsk and Lugansk regions, and direct repair-crew access to destroyed social and transit infrastructure with supportive aid.

Putin also "expressed hope that final agreements between Kiev and militia in southeastern Ukraine could be reached and secured at the coming meeting of the so-called contact group on September 5."

"I hope the leaders of Ukraine will support the anticipated progress in bilateral relations," Russia's president said, and "called on Ukraine to take an active part in the work of the contact group for a final and comprehensive settlement of the situation in the southeastern Ukraine, of course, with full and unconditional assurance of the legitimate rights of the people who...