Putin says war with Ukraine 'unlikely'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly gone on record to say that a war with neighbouring Ukraine is "unlikely," a report said.

In his first comments since the ceasefire agreement took effect on February 12, Putin said that such an apocalyptic scenario was unlikely and added that he hoped "this will never happen," reported the BBC.

While asserting his support for the recent Minsk ceasefire deal, Putin stressed that it was the best way to stabilise eastern Ukraine. "Europe is just as interested in that as Russia," he said and added that nobody wanted a conflict on the edge of Europe.

He said that the Minsk deal had become an "international legal document" after the UN Security Council approved a Russian-drafted resolution endorsing it.

The deal that took effect last week appeared to be collapsing when rebels captured the strategic transport hub of Debaltseve.