(VOVworld) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has called on parties involved in clashes in eastern Ukraine to fully abide by the Minsk ceasefire agreement, saying that the deal is vital to ending the conflict.

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces gather on armoured vehicles on the roadside near the village of Vidrodzhennya, Donetsk, Ukraine, June 9, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

Putin made the statement Wednesday during his visit to Italy, following the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement which said the Minsk deals’ implementation is “still fragile.” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said Moscow is disappointed with talks in Minsk, blaming the Kiev government for the impasse in negotiations.