MOSCOW
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko's plan to bring Kiev out of a crisis that has presented a major threat to the territorial integrity of the former Russia ally.
Putin and Poroshenko met for the first time on the sidelines of France's D-Day celebrations on Friday.
Putin told journalists in the French city of Caen that he welcomed Poroshenko's approach to ending a standoff with pro-Russian separatists seeking to take over Ukraine's eastern regions.
"Poroshenko has a plan to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine; he told me in a few words but don't ask me what the plan is, ask him," Putin told the media.
The Russian President said he found the plan to be "appropriate."
"I don't think I can say how the plan will be formulated and how it will work but I liked it in general and it seemed appropriate to me."
Tensions are running high in Ukraine's east as separatists in several regions have indicated their intent to break away from Kiev, eyeing a repeat of the situation in Crimea which was annexed by Moscow after a referendum in March.
Poroshenko, who scored a landslide victory in last month's presidential poll, vowed "to ensure peace and stability" by retaining control in the eastern regions.
Western countries have blamed Russia for instigating the conflict in Ukraine and supporting separatist groups, and have sought to punish Moscow by imposing economic sanctions.
www.aa.com.tr/en
