Ukraine President Poroshenko, Vladimir Putin talk peace amid tension
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin have talked peace over the telephone, Poroshenko’s office has said, amid tensions between the countries. Media reports have said that Putin also discussed the crisis gripping the two countries with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.
- June 18 | Two Russian journalists killed in eastern Ukraine
- June 17 | Petro Poroshenko is sworn as Ukraine’s fifth President
- June 4 | Indian embassy in Ukraine evacuating 1,000 Indians
Reports say Putin has favoured efforts to de-escalate tensions and “a process to forge a cease-fire” in eastern regions. Poroshenko is considering the implementation of a peace plan for eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian authorities are fighting pro-Russia separatists.
In March, Russia annexed Crimea and massed troops along its border with Ukraine, leading to a tense standoff between the two countries. The eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk are witnessing
pro-Russian separatist stirrings.
Kyiv has accused Russia of allowing weapons and military equipment to pass onto the hands of pro-Russia separatists.
While Poroshenko is in favour of a unilateral cease-fire, Ukrain expects separatist to disarm too, it has been known. Amnesty to non-serious offenders and changes to the constitution to decentralize power are among many plans Ukraine has proposed. Poroshenko is seeking the release of Ukrainian hostages too.
7 Ukrainian troops killed in overnight fighting
Meanwhile, AP quoted Ukrainian officials as saying seven troops have been killed in fresh fighting.
Vladislav Seleznev, spokesman for Ukrainian forces in the east, said seven soldiers were killed and 30 injured in fighting outside the village of Yampil since Thursday. Seleznev said on Friday that 300 rebels were killed, but that could not be immediately verified.
While NATO on Thursday reported that Russia was resuming a military build-up at the Ukrainian border, Putin has voiced concern about the Ukrainian military onslaught.
The UN says at least 356 people, including 257 civilians, have been killed since May 7 in eastern Ukraine.
For more news from India Today, follow us on Twitter @indiatoday and on Facebook at facebook.com/IndiaToday
For news and videos in Hindi, go to AajTak.in. ताज़ातरीन ख़बरों और वीडियो के लिए आजतक.इन पर आएं.
Open all references in tabs: [1 – 7]