Russia, Ukraine News 2014: Russia Has 'Hours' to Disarm Separatists, John Kerry Says
The New York Times has reported that Secretary of State John Kerry said that Russia needs to take action within 'hours' to sideline separatist in eastern Ukraine.
Western nations and Ukraine have accused Russia of providing separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons and political support.
Kerry made this statement while speaking in Paris, saying, "It is critical for Russia to show in the next hours, literally, that they're moving to help disarm the separatists, to encourage them to disarm."
According to Time, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on Russia today to support his peace plan with deeds. not words, as the weeklong ceasefire between government troops and pro-Russia rebels will expire this Friday.
Poroshenko specifically called for Russia's support with deeds in the case of preventing armed separatists from crossing the Russian border into Ukraine.
"Without that, we cannot talk about peace," Poroshenko said. "Do support the peace plan with deeds, not words, because with these deeds we will stop the killing of civilians and the military who defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Kerry said they too were looking for more action from Russia. European Union leaders will be holding meetings on Thursday and Friday and will be discussing their sanctions against Russian.
Putin and Merkel also discussed extending the ceasefire and extending over a telephone conversation earlier today.
The Kremlin press service reported that the two leaders exchanged opinions about international assistance and how to settle the crisis in Ukraine. "In particular, [Putin and Merkel] addressed control over the observance of a ceasefire by the conflicting parties, the need to extend the truce, the arrangement of contact group regular work, and the release of persons being held forcibly," it said.
Poroshenko also announced that representatives from the conflicted regions have agreed to sit down for talks with Russian ambassador and other high ranking Ukrainian officials and an OSCE envoy.
The Obama administration along with allies in the European Union have been threatening to impose tougher economic measures on Russia if Putin doesn't cooperate but have been slow following through with them.
After Kerry's statement, a Western official said it was not certain that the E.U. would impose actions if Russia didn't comply by Friday.
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