OREANDA-NEWS.   Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States Barack Obama in accordance with a previously-reached agreement.

The leaders had a detailed discussion on various aspects of the critical internal crisis in Ukraine and prospects for settling the situation, including implementing the peace plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko. Vladimir Putin stressed that ending military actions and starting direct talks between the conflicting sides would have priority significance for normalising the situation in the southeast regions. The leaders also noted the importance of urgently resolving humanitarian issues, including immediate assistance to the people who have been affected.

During an exchange of opinions on other current issues on the international agenda, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama expressed grave concern about activities in Iraq by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorist group. The President of Russia expressed support for Baghdad’s efforts to fight the Islamists and establish peace and security in the nation.

The Presidents also touched on the situation in Syria, taking into account the completion of the process of removing chemical weapons components from the country, as well as issues pertaining to the Iranian nuclear programme.