Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday spoke face-to-face with Ukraine's incoming president about ending the violence in the former Soviet state, a diplomatic turning point that played out along the Normandy beaches where the Allies battled for Europe's peace 70 years earlier. AP reported that the meeting, which lasted some 15 minutes, came on the same day that Putin spoke with President Barack Obama, who had been keeping the Russian leader at arm's length over the Ukrainian crisis that has rekindled Cold War-era tensions. Speaking after the meeting with Ukrainian president-elect Petro Poroshenko - who is to be sworn for office on Saturday - Putin called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine ahead of any further talks, and said he expected Poroshenko to show "state wisdom" and "good will." Putin also said that Moscow is ready for constructive discussion with Ukraine on settling its gas debt to Russia. -- SPA 22:48 LOCAL TIME 19:48 GMT تغريد
