(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) President Barack Obama spoke by phone on Monday to Russian President Vladimir Putin and again urged him to support peace instead of allowing the provision of arms and materiel across the border and continuing support for militants and separatists who are further destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday.
"Though we believe a diplomatic solution is still possible, Russia will face additional costs if we do not see concrete actions to de-escalate the situation," Earnest said during a briefing.
The talk was an opportunity for Obama to reiterate some of the things that he has mentioned to Putin in previous conversations, Earnest said.
Obama "reiterated that we would like to see Russia, and President Putin personally, use his influence to try to promote greater peace and stability in eastern Ukraine," Earnest said.
The United States is very supportive of Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko in his efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, Earnest said, noting that Poroshenko has offered amnesty to separatists within Ukraine and to provide safe passage back to Russia to Russian militants in eastern Ukraine.
"It is clear that President Poroshenko is willing to go the extra mile here to try to resolve the situation and to restore some peace and security to the entire country that he governs," Earnest said. "What we need is some cooperation with President Putin and the Russians to make that a reality."
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