Report: Putin, Poroshenko Discuss Ceasefire Following Pipeline Blast -- Voice of America
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Tuesday with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko about a possible cease-fire in southeastern Ukraine.
No details were released, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Putin also voiced concern over the deaths Tuesday of two Russian state journalists near the Ukrainian city of Luhansk. Peskov said Ukraine has promised to investigate the deaths. Regional news reports say the journalists died when their car was hit by mortar fire near the rebel-held city.
The top-level discussion is only the second known direct contact between leaders of the two countries since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in March.
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More News On Russian And Ukrainian Presidents Discussing A Possible Cease-Fire For Southeastern Ukraine
Ukraine's Poroshenko sets out ceasefire plan after call with Putin -- Reuters
Putin Talks Peace With Ukraine Leader After Gas Pipe Fire -- Bloomberg
Putin, Poroshenko discuss Ukraine ceasefire as two Russian TV crew killed -- Global Post/AFP
Poroshenko And Putin Hold Talks -- Radio Free Europe
Poroshenko Vows Donbass Ceasefire after Calling Merkel, Putin -- Novinite
Poroshenko Prepares a Unilateral Cease-Fire in Eastern Ukraine -- New York Times
My Comment: The Russian And Ukrainian Presidents can discuss a possible cease-fire for southeastern Ukraine all that they want .... the stumbling block is and will be what the people in southeastern Ukraine want. At the moment .... a good number of them want to breakaway from Ukraine and are now determined to do so with force .... with or without Moscow's support.
Update: Reports that Poroshenko is about to announce a unilateral ceasefire is a positive step .... but I have to see it to believe it.
I agree the people of southeast Ukraine have a vote as to whether the war ends.
ReplyDeleteWhat has got Putin's interest is that Ukraine can hurt Russia badly financially. Russia is diversifying by signing up china and India as customers. But hey are not there yet.
If Ukraine can blow up the pipelines to Europe using stealth they have plausible deniability.
Ukraine is using the only weapon it has economics.
I would use it. the Russian economy is not in good shape. GDP is not really growing. Russia put Ukraine between a rock and a hard place when it cut off the gas (Although I really do not think the seller should give when they are not paid).