Russian president Vladimir Putin declares himself ready for discussions with the OSCE to defuse the crisis in Eastern Ukraine.

Putin claimed that he intends to talk with the head of the organization, in order to find a way to release the tension experienced by eastern Ukraine areas.

“I know you have your own suggestions, your own ideas on how we can find a way out of this situation. Our position is well known”, stated Putin, in view of the meeting with OSCE President Didier Burkhalter.

“Let’s try to analyze the situation and find ways out of the crisis”, added the Russian president.

At the same time, he called on eastern Ukraine separatists to postpone the referendum scheduled for May 11th, stating that a direct dialogue between Kiev and the separatists in southeastern Ukraine is the key to resolving the crisis.

He added that the end of violence is a necessary condition for the holding of presidential elections in the Ukraine on May 25th.

All this took place while pro-Russian separatists recaptured the town hall of Mariupol, replacing the Ukrainian flag with that of the self-proclaimed “People’s Republic of Donetsk”.