Armed men ride on top of an armoured personnel carrier.  (Photo: Reuters)

(VOVworld) – Ukraine’s new President Petro Poroshenko phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to congratulate him on Russian Day and discuss a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in eastern Ukraine. The two leaders discussed a detailed plan for a ceasefire, peace restoration, and closer bilateral ties.

The same day, Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke on the phone about joint efforts to defuse the tensions around Donetsk and Lugansk.