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| Ukraine crisis: Moscow and Kiev seek 'end to bloodshed' | Ukraine crisis: Moscow and Kiev seek 'end to bloodshed' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko have called for a quick end to the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, Russian officials have said. | Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko have called for a quick end to the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, Russian officials have said. |
| The two leaders were meeting for the first time since Mr Poroshenko's election, at a D-Day event in France. | The two leaders were meeting for the first time since Mr Poroshenko's election, at a D-Day event in France. |
| Mr Putin also spoke briefly to the US president, the White House said. | Mr Putin also spoke briefly to the US president, the White House said. |
| Fighting continues, with government forces reportedly launching a tank attack near rebel-held Sloviansk. | Fighting continues, with government forces reportedly launching a tank attack near rebel-held Sloviansk. |
| The Ukrainian authorities have announced an "active phase" of what they call an anti-terrorist operation in and around Sloviansk, which was seized by pro-Russian militants several weeks ago. | The Ukrainian authorities have announced an "active phase" of what they call an anti-terrorist operation in and around Sloviansk, which was seized by pro-Russian militants several weeks ago. |
| The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, who was near the town on Thursday, says it was clear Ukrainian forces had encircled it and moved in a lot of weaponry. | The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, who was near the town on Thursday, says it was clear Ukrainian forces had encircled it and moved in a lot of weaponry. |
| Separately, Ukrainian media reported that one member of the security forces had been killed and several wounded in a mortar attack outside the city. | Separately, Ukrainian media reported that one member of the security forces had been killed and several wounded in a mortar attack outside the city. |
| 'Informal meeting' | 'Informal meeting' |
| The three leaders are said to have chatted for about 15 minutes, in between a photo for world leaders and a meal organised by French President Francois Hollande. | The three leaders are said to have chatted for about 15 minutes, in between a photo for world leaders and a meal organised by French President Francois Hollande. |
| "During the brief conversation, both Putin and Poroshenko called for a quick end to the bloodshed in south-eastern Ukraine, and also to military activity by both sides", said Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. | "During the brief conversation, both Putin and Poroshenko called for a quick end to the bloodshed in south-eastern Ukraine, and also to military activity by both sides", said Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. |
| "It was also confirmed that there is no alternative to settling the situation by peaceful political means." | "It was also confirmed that there is no alternative to settling the situation by peaceful political means." |
| "The conversation took place on possible measures to de-escalate [the crisis], including how Moscow could recognise the election of Poroshenko," a French official said. | "The conversation took place on possible measures to de-escalate [the crisis], including how Moscow could recognise the election of Poroshenko," a French official said. |
| "The details of a ceasefire will also be discussed in coming days." | "The details of a ceasefire will also be discussed in coming days." |
| The White House later said that Mr Putin and Mr Obama had had an "informal meeting" lasting about 10-15 minutes. | The White House later said that Mr Putin and Mr Obama had had an "informal meeting" lasting about 10-15 minutes. |
| Germany is cautious about expanding sanctions against Russia. | Germany is cautious about expanding sanctions against Russia. |
| Mrs Merkel told a summit of the G7 states in Brussels this week that further sanctions would take effect only if there had been "no progress whatsoever". | Mrs Merkel told a summit of the G7 states in Brussels this week that further sanctions would take effect only if there had been "no progress whatsoever". |
| Targeted sanctions were introduced by the EU and US after Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March, following a controversial referendum on joining Russia. | Targeted sanctions were introduced by the EU and US after Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March, following a controversial referendum on joining Russia. |
| Since then, a bloody insurgency has gripped Ukraine's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, on the Russian border. | Since then, a bloody insurgency has gripped Ukraine's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, on the Russian border. |
| Pro-Russian separatists there have declared independence from Ukraine, refusing to recognise the pro-EU government which replaced President Viktor Yanukovych after he was ousted in February. | Pro-Russian separatists there have declared independence from Ukraine, refusing to recognise the pro-EU government which replaced President Viktor Yanukovych after he was ousted in February. |
| Mr Putin denies military involvement despite the fact that Russians are fighting with the rebels. |