Putin says he hopes for agreements on diplomatic track, Germany confirms delivery of Gepard tanks to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he still has hope for negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine when he met with visiting United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the Kremlin on Tuesday, while Germany said it would supply Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

In his meeting with Guterres, Putin said the Donbass "republics" have the right to declare their sovereignty and Russia has the right to recognize their independence and provide them with military assistance in full accordance with the UN Charter.

"Despite the ongoing military operation, we still hope that we will be able to reach agreements on the diplomatic track. We are negotiating and we do not refuse them," he said. MS Television reporter by Charlie Zhong