Ukraine leader says expects tough talks with Putin next week

  • Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko speaks to the media during a news conference in Kyiv September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

  • Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko speaks to the media during a news conference in Kyiv September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Saturday he expected planned talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin next week in Italy to be difficult but said Moscow had a crucial role to play in bringing peace to his country.