
Belarus: Putin, Poroshenko "agree on need to end the bloodshed"
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to the press about the meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk, Tuesday.
Putin said that, while Russia is not party to Ukraine's internal conflict, the need to end the bloodshed in Eastern Ukraine was addressed. He further said that Russia’s role can only be to try to get the conflicting sides to reach an understanding by themselves.
The Russian president also stated that the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine needs to be resolved, but that the issue is currently at a dead end.
The Russian and Ukrainian presidents are in Minsk for the summit with other European Union members on the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. The talks are expected to include the aftermath of Kiev’s signing of the European Trade Association Agreement with the EU.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to the press about the meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk, Tuesday.
Putin said that, while Russia is not party to Ukraine's internal conflict, the need to end the bloodshed in Eastern Ukraine was addressed. He further said that Russia’s role can only be to try to get the conflicting sides to reach an understanding by themselves.
The Russian president also stated that the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine needs to be resolved, but that the issue is currently at a dead end.
The Russian and Ukrainian presidents are in Minsk for the summit with other European Union members on the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. The talks are expected to include the aftermath of Kiev’s signing of the European Trade Association Agreement with the EU.