Germany cautions Ukraine against use of force

The German foreign minister has warned Ukraine’s government against using extreme force in confrontation with protesters in Eastern provinces.

According to Press TV, Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Tagesspiegel newspaper, “We should prevent the growing number of federalization supporters as a result of the military operation in the East of Ukraine.”

He added that in the current situation it is important to “act carefully and adequately when using weapons.”

Steinmeier urged mutual cooperation between Russia and Ukraine in a bid to secure the safety of common borders and asked Moscow to help in restoring stabilization to Ukraine.

This is while Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded on Friday that Ukraine halt “punitive” military operations in the east as a prerequisite for talks between Kiev and pro-Russia protesters.