Updated on 09:07 p.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, September 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko admitted during a telephone conversation that the ceasefire in the east of Ukraine is generally observed by the sides of the conflict, the press-service of the Russian president said in a statement Saturday.
“Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the fact that the sides of the conflict generally observe the ceasefire. The importance of monitoring the situation by the OSCE was stressed. The conversation also touched upon the issues related to the provision of humanitarian aid to the residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” the statement said.
The leaders of the two countries also discussed the necessary steps for providing sustainable ceasefire in the east of Ukraine.
“The presidents exchanged views about the ongoing consultations over the consequences of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine for the Customs Union member states [Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia],” the statement noted.
Putin and Poroshenko agreed to continue the dialogue.
Earlier on Friday, during a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukrainian reconciliation in Belarus’ capital Minsk, the sides of the Ukrainian conflict agreed on a ceasefire, prisoners exchange and humanitarian aid.
A number of settlements, through which the humanitarian corridors could be organized, were chosen during the meeting.
Since mid-April the Ukrainian government has been conducting a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine, who refused to acknowledge the new government that came to power after a coup in February. The fighting intensified after Donetsk and Luhansk regions proclaimed independence in May.
According to UN estimates, fighting has killed over 2,500 people and injured over 6,000.
