Putin emphasizes importance of a ceasefire in SE Ukraine-Peskov

MOSCOW, June 20 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Pyotr Poroshenko on Thursday night, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists. Peskov said, "Along with a discussion of present-day matters regarding Russia-Ukraine relations, the RF President accentuated attention on the importance of a ceasefire in the conflict zones in southeastern Ukraine for the purpose of achieving a sustainable settlement of the conflict". Earlier in the day, Putin held a telephone conversation with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Kremlin press service reported that the interlocutors had discussed possible consequences of frustration by Kiev of the talks on a settlement of the problem of debt for the supplied Russian gas to the economy and energy security of Europe. The Russian leader expressed serious concern over the ongoing military operation being carried out by Kiev in southeastern Ukraine. "Hope was expressed that the Kiev leadership's assurances about an intention to put an end to violence and launch a nationwide dialogue would be immediately implemented," a Kremlin press service official pointed out. Learn more on itar-tass.com