Putin, Ukraine prez talk peace at D-Day event
7 Jun 2014 11:15 PM GMT
The leaders of Russia and Ukraine met on Friday for the first time since Moscow annexed Crimea as world leaders commemorated the 70th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day landings in France.
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 federalization of Ukraine,’ in a statement carried by Russian news wires. In their eagerly anticipated contact, Putin and Poroshenko discussed how Russia could recognize the Ukrainian elections, and a possible cease-fire, said an official at French President Francois Hollande’s office, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press.
The French official said their 15-minute discussion ‘included ways to de-escalate, including the manner in which Moscow could recognize Poroshenko’s election, realizing that Putin is sending an ambassador to Kiev tomorrow.’
Outside the building where world leaders met for lunch, reporters saw an animated conversation lasting about one minute which also included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who at a much more public commemoration at Sword Beach appeared to be shuttling back and forth between the men. Peskov said that Putin and Poroshenko also ‘confirmed that there is no alternative to settling the situation by peaceful political means.’
Merkel has talked frequently by phone with Putin since the crisis broke out. She has a long-established working relationship with Putin; she speaks Russian and he speaks German. Merkel last spoke by phone with Putin on Tuesday, and Poroshenko visited her in Berlin Thursday.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian officials say more than 200 people have died — a figure which can’t be independently confirmed — in fighting between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian rebels. Candy magnate Poroshenko, who is to be sworn in as Ukraine’s next president on Saturday, has promised a comprehensive plan to put an end to the hostilities in the east as soon as he assumes office.
Putin held his first face-to-face meetings with Western leaders in France this week since pro-European protesters pushed out Ukraine’s Russia-friendly president in February, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and the U.S. and EU imposed sanctions in response. He even met informally with US President Barack Obama. Reuters/AP
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 federalization of Ukraine,’ in a statement carried by Russian news wires. In their eagerly anticipated contact, Putin and Poroshenko discussed how Russia could recognize the Ukrainian elections, and a possible cease-fire, said an official at French President Francois Hollande’s office, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press.
The French official said their 15-minute discussion ‘included ways to de-escalate, including the manner in which Moscow could recognize Poroshenko’s election, realizing that Putin is sending an ambassador to Kiev tomorrow.’
Outside the building where world leaders met for lunch, reporters saw an animated conversation lasting about one minute which also included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who at a much more public commemoration at Sword Beach appeared to be shuttling back and forth between the men. Peskov said that Putin and Poroshenko also ‘confirmed that there is no alternative to settling the situation by peaceful political means.’
Merkel has talked frequently by phone with Putin since the crisis broke out. She has a long-established working relationship with Putin; she speaks Russian and he speaks German. Merkel last spoke by phone with Putin on Tuesday, and Poroshenko visited her in Berlin Thursday.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian officials say more than 200 people have died — a figure which can’t be independently confirmed — in fighting between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian rebels. Candy magnate Poroshenko, who is to be sworn in as Ukraine’s next president on Saturday, has promised a comprehensive plan to put an end to the hostilities in the east as soon as he assumes office.
Putin held his first face-to-face meetings with Western leaders in France this week since pro-European protesters pushed out Ukraine’s Russia-friendly president in February, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and the U.S. and EU imposed sanctions in response. He even met informally with US President Barack Obama. Reuters/AP
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