Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian army of directly targeting civilians in the east of the country, saying that Europe has been ignoring that.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian army of directly targeting civilians in the east of the country, saying that Europe has been ignoring that.

Meanwhile, Putin characterized the goal of separatists operations as protecting civilians.

"The goal of the rebel forces is to push back (Ukrainian) armed forces and artillery so they cannot fire on residential areas," he said.

In recent days Putin has repeatedly called for "substantive" talks between Kiev and representatives of eastern Ukraine on resolving the crisis.

  Representatives of Kiev, Moscow and the OSCE are to gather Monday in Minsk for a meeting of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group, but it was unclear if representatives of pro-Russian separatists would attend.

"And now, in my opinion, a very important process is starting, the process of direct talks," said Putin without providing details.

"We worked on that for a long time and agreed on that with (Ukrainian President) Petro Poroshenko ... and now these contacts are starting, that are resuming."