Poroshenko says he is ready for negotiations with Putin on condition of observance of Minsk agreements

15:48, 26.03.2015 1 min read

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said close observance of the Minsk agreements is a condition for further negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I have no problem with continuing the talk that began in Minsk when it becomes necessary. However, there are specific basic principles for that: the Minsk agreements, which were made with Russia's participation, should be closely observed," Poroshenko told reporters in Kharkiv on Thursday.

He reiterated that the priority condition is a ceasefire. "We should finally ensure a ceasefire. Shots should not be fired in the Ukrainian sky and on Ukrainian soil," Poroshenko said.

Commenting on the statement by Ukraine's first president Leonid Kravchuk on the need for one-on-one negotiations with Putin, Poroshenko said he has no shortage of communication with the Russian president.

"We have no shortage in communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin. My latest personal communication was very long. It lasted 18 hours," Poroshenko said.