(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The american russian and incoming ukrainian presidents spoke face-to-face about ending ukraine?s violence a diplomatic turning point that played out on friday along the blood-soaked normandy beaches where the allies battled for europe?s peace 70 years earlier.
the kremlin said russian president vladimir putin and the ukrainian president-elect petro poroshenko called for the “soonest end to bloodshed in southeastern ukraine and combat by both parties the ukrainian armed forces and supporters of the federalisation of ukraine” in a statement carried by russian news wires.
putin who was frozen out of g-7 talks on thursday in brussels appeared to be moving incrementally back into the fold of the west following his first direct talks with the man elected to lead ukraine after the previous pro-kremlin president was ousted in what putin has compared to a coup.
president obama personally told putin he must de-escalate tensions in ukraine or face deeper international isolation a us official said.
in their eagerly anticipated contact putin and poroshenko discussed how russia could recognise the ukrainian elections and a possible cease-fire said an official at french president francois hollande’s office.
the french official said their 15-minute discussion “included ways to de-escalate including the manner in which moscow could recognise poroshenko’s election realising that putin is sending an ambassador to kiev tomorrow.”
putin later said his meetings with the western leaders were positive and described talks with obama as “substantial”.
“i think the exchange of views was very positive” putin said in remarks broadcast by russian television from france. putin said poroshenko had “the right approach” to the crisis while urging him to call off military action in eastern ukraine.
“overall it seemed to me to be the right approach” the russian leader said adding that he welcomed plans put forward by poroshenko. he also warned russia would retaliate with measures to protect its economy if kiev signed an association pact with the european union.
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