Russia urges implementation of OSCE roadmap for Ukraine

Russia has said it was extremely important to implement a roadmap for settling the Ukraine crisis as proposed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), media reported Wednesday.

"The implementation of the 'roadmap' would create conditions for the start of a broad national dialogue aimed at reconciliation and an all-encompassing constitutional reform designed to prevent Ukraine from sliding towards catastrophe," the Russian foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Besides Russia, the roadmap has been backed by the US, the European Union (EU), and the Kiev government, Xinhua reported. The OSCE plan calls on all sides to refrain from violence and urges amnesty for those involved in the crisis. 

It envisions a quick launch of high-level round-table conferences across Ukraine, bringing together national lawmakers and representatives of the interim government and the regions.

The Russian foreign ministry said Kiev had to immediately stop operations in the east, pull back troops from besieged cities and towns, free all political prisoners and stop intimidating civilians.

Moscow said it attaches special importance to the investigation of violent activities in the east and south as proposed by the OSCE roadmap, particularly the clashes between pro and anti-government protestors in Ukraine's southern city of Odessa May 2 that killed 43 people.