Kremlin mum on next moves after Putin article about Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Russians and Ukrainians as “one people” people and argued that Ukraine can only be stable and successful if it maintains friendly ties with Russia

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Russians and Ukrainians as “one people” and argued that Ukraine can only be stable and successful if it maintains friendly ties with Russia. He also charged in an article published Monday that Ukraine has no intention of honoring a 2015 peace deal to end a conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the country's east. “I am convinced that the true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible only in partnership with Russia,” the article posted on the Kremlin's website states. “Our spiritual, human and civilizational ties have formed for centuries and have been rooted in the same sources, they have been hardened by common trials, achievements and victories.” Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from comment Tuesday when asked if Russia could move to incorporate rebel-controlled areas of Ukraine's industrial heartland, Donbas.