Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for federalisation of Ukraine to resolve the conflict opposing the government in Kiev to pro-Moscow rebels in the country’s eastern regions.

In an interview with German TV channel ARD Putin said that “in order to be successful, stable and prosperous, the people who live on this territory, no matter what language they speak (Hungarian, Russian, Ukrainian or Polish), must feel that this territory is their homeland.”

To achieve that, people living in Ukraine must be confident they will be able to realize their potential there just like they will in any other territory “and possibly, even better to some extent.”

“That is why I do not understand the unwillingness of some political forces in Ukraine to even hear about the possibility of federalisation,” the Russian President said.

“It is a large country, a large nation with the population of 43-44 million people. It is a large European country with European culture,” he said.

He also said Russia won’t allow the government in Kiev to annihilate its political opponents in eastern Ukraine.

“We won’t let that happen,” Putin said.