Putin, Merkel discuss need to extend Ukraine ceasefire

MOSCOW, June 26 (AFP): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin said, noting the two leaders discussed the need to extend Kiev's week-long ceasefire.
"Vladimir Putin drew attention to the worsening humanitarian situation and an increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees in Russia," the Kremlin said in a statement following the talks.
The leaders discussed "the need to extend the truce" and the observance of the ceasefire by the warring sides in Ukraine, the Kremlin said, adding the call took place at the initiative of the German side.
A one-week ceasefire announced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko last week is set to expire on Friday after inconclusive talks.
Washington has threatened to slap new sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis and warned earlier Thursday that Russia must prove "in the next hours" that it is working to help disarm separatist groups in restive eastern Ukraine.
Another Washington report adds: US President Barack Obama warned Wednesday that additional sanctions would be in store if Russia does not move swiftly to reduce tensions in eastern Ukraine.
In a telephone call with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Obama also vowed to press Russia to persuade separatist groups to abide by a ceasefire agreement, the White House said.
The two leaders agreed to "coordinate measures to impose additional costs on Russia if it fails to take rapid action to deescalate the situation in eastern Ukraine," where 400 people have died in unrest since April, it added in a statement.
Obama and Renzi "also stressed the need for Russia to use its influence over separatist groups to persuade them to abide by the cease-fire and for Russia to take immediate concrete steps to stop the flow of weapons and militants across the border," the statement said.