Putin offers urgent aid to quake-hit Indonesia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered urgent assistance to Indonesia, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered urgent assistance to Indonesia, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on Saturday.

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"I reaffirm our solidarity and readiness to provide assistance in overcoming the consequences of this natural catastrophe," Putin said in a message to his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Yudhoyono.

Meanwhile, Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry has ordered its rescue teams to be on standby for flying to the Indonesian island of Java, where at least 2500 people were feared killed in the quake.