Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin of Russia (The White House, 1/8/14)

Office of the Press Secretary, August 01, 2014:

President Obama spoke today with Russian President Putin about the situation in Ukraine and the bilateral relationship.  

The President reiterated his deep concerns about Russia’s increased support for the separatists in Ukraine. 

 The President reinforced his preference for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine, and the two leaders agreed to keep open their channels of communication.  


The President also reiterated his concerns about Russia’s compliance with its obligations under the INF Treaty.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/01/readout-president-s-call-president-putin-russia
1/8/14
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• Kremlin: Telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama (1/8/14)

Kremlin, 01.08.14:
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Barack Obama on the American side’s initiative...
  The two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Ukrainian crisis. Despite their significant differences in views on many fundamental issues, both sides stressed the urgency of an immediate and stable ceasefire in southeast Ukraine and the launch of a political process.

 In this regard, the two presidents gave a positive assessment of the consultations by a contact group held in Minsk and noted the importance of continuing talks in this format.
The two heads of state discussed many aspects of the relations between Russia and the US. The President of Russia described Washington’s actions to impose pressure through sanctions as counterproductive, causing serious damage to bilateral cooperation and international stability overall.
Both presidents agreed that the current state of affairs does not serve the interests of either state. In this context, the two leaders exchanged views on prospects for Russian-American dialogue. http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/22760 1/8/14