Putin Supports Ceasefire in Ukraine, Calls for Peace Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko’s order to cease fire in the south-east of the country and his intention to take concrete steps towards peaceful settlement of the crisis in the region, the presidential press service said on Saturday.
President Poroshenko presents peace plan for Ukraine East settlement
Putin “urges all warring parties to stop all hostilities and begin talks”, the press service said. He believes, however, that Poroshenko’s peace plan “will not be viable and realistic without practical steps towards negotiations”.
The Russian president said it was “unacceptable” when “after the order to cease fire ammunition lands and explodes on Russian territory as a result of the continuing confrontation between the Ukrainian sides, which not only causes damage to property but also endangers the life and health of our citizens”.
“The announced Poroshenko peace plan should not be an ultimatum to the militia. The opportunity created by the ceasefire must be used for starting constructive negotiations and reaching political compromises between the warring parties in the East of Ukraine,” the press service said.
ITAR-TASS
R.S