12 Mar 2014 20:02

Putin discusses situation in Crimea with ex-head of Crimean Tatar Mejlis

MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday had a "long" telephone conversation with Ukrainian parliament deputy Mustafa Dzhemilev, who had headed the Crimean Tatar Mejlis "for many years," the Russian president's office told Interfax.

Putin and Dzemilev "discussed the situation in Crimea in the run-up to the referendum," the president's office said.

"Dzemilev has visited Moscow, where he met with Mintimer Shaimiyev, a former leader of Tatarstan," it said.