Russian President Vladimir Putin said, on Friday, that the Russian army is successfully carrying out its military mission, preserving security and safeguarding the country.

At a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council, the Russian President added: "I want to give the highest appraisal to the actions of Russian soldiers and officers. They act courageously, professionally, heroically. They perform their military duty successfully. They successfully solve the most important task of ensuring the security of our people and our Fatherland."

Putin has made an appeal to Ukraine's troops, urging them to seize control and not allow neo-Nazis and Banderovites to exploit children, women, and the elderly as human shields.

"I once again appeal to the military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine. Do not allow neo-Nazis and Banderovites to use your children, your wives, and elderly people as human shields. Take power into your own hands.

"It seems that it will be easier for us to negotiate with you than with this gang of junkies and neo-Nazis who dug down in Kiev and took the entire Ukrainian people hostage," Putin concluded.

Earlier, the Russian President told his Chinese counterpart that Russia is ready to hold high-level negotiations with Ukraine.