Sergey Naryshkin: “We must. . . I would like to agree with the suggestion of Nikolai Platonovich that we can give our Western partners one last chance. Er, presenting them with the choice, in the shortest time to force Kyiv to choose peace and implement the Minsk agreement.

In the worst case, we have to make the decision we are discussing today.

Vladimir Putin (with a wry smile) : “What does that mean? ‘In the worst case’? Are you suggesting we start negotiations”?

Sergey Naryshkin: “Erm. . . No, I erm. . .”

Vladimir Putin: “Or recognise sovereignity”?

Sergey Naryshkin: “I. . . I will. . .

Vladimir Putin: “Speak. . . Speak, speak plainly”!

Sergey Naryshkin: “I will support the recognition. . .”

Vladimir Putin: “I would support, or I am supporting? Speak plainly Sergei”!

Sergey Naryshkin: “I am supporting the proposal. . .”

Vladimir Putin: “Then say it like that: yes or no”.

Sergey Naryshkin: “I support the proposal about the entry of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics into the Russian Federation”.

Vladimir Putin (laughing and shaking his head) : “We are not talking about that. We are not discussing that. We are talking about recognising their independence or not. Yes or no”?

Sergey Naryshkin: “Yes. I support the proposal to recognise their independence”.

Vladimir Putin: “Thanks. You can take your seat”.

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