Putin Calls for Talks on 'Statehood' of Eastern Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin called on Sunday for immediate talks on the future of war-torn east Ukraine, saying for the first time that "statehood" should be considered for the region.

"We need to immediately begin substantive talks ... on questions of the political organization of society and statehood in southeastern Ukraine with the goal of protecting the lawful interests of the people who live there," Putin was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on a TV show broadcast in the far east of the country.

Russia has previously only called for greater rights under a decentralized federal system to be accorded to the eastern regions of Ukraine, where predominantly Russian-speakers live.

In the program, taped on Friday, Putin did not directly address additional Western sanctions on Ru