Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will hold talks with leaders of eastern Ukraine’s self-proclaimed pro-Russian republics, in a rare public move to get involved in a prisoner exchange deal with Kiev. His apparent willingness and ability to intervene will add fuel to western Government statements that Putin has been heavily involved in orchestrating events in Ukraine. In the early stages of the conflict, Russia repeatedly denied sending soldiers or weapons across the border but Putin has since admitted some Russian military personnel travelled to fight.