Poroshenko Denies Discussing Transfer of Donbass to Russia With Putin

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko dismissed on Friday reports of his alleged discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the transfer of Donbass to Russia during the Minsk summit in February.

KIEV (Sputnik) – On Monday, the Russian edition of Forbes magazine's website reported, citing an unnamed source, that Putin, during a closed-door meeting with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Management Bureau on March 19, mentioned that Poroshenko told him to "take" Donbass.

"What you're quoting is idiocy that both Putin and his press secretary have denied. Here's my position: I'm not going to comment on it and I advise you against doing so too. You know perfectly well that it isn't true," Poroshenko told journalists.

Poroshenko reportedly said Donbass should join Russia during the February 11-12 Normandy Format meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany that took place in the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

According to the Forbes source, the Russian leader declined the proposal, saying that Ukraine should either declare the region independent or carry out its responsibilities, including the payment of social benefits to the people of Donbass.

The head of RSPP Alexander Shokhin said Monday that the rumor about the content of the two leaders' conversation was false.

In mid-February, the heads of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany agreed in Minsk to a new set of measures to facilitate Ukrainian reconciliation. The deal included a ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact between Kiev forces and Donbass independence supporters, as well as amendments to the Ukrainian constitution.