(VOVworld) – The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his US counterpart John Kerry during a telephone conversation on Wednesday that Ukraine's interim government must stop its military operation in southeastern Ukraine. Lavrov stressed the need for an immediate halt by Kiev to the punitive operation in the southeastern regions and for the swiftest possible launch of a nationwide dialogue, including direct talks with representatives of the southeast, in the interests of a peaceful solution. On the same day, in another phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, Lavrov called for emergency steps to end the bloodshed and start an inclusive internal Ukrainian dialogue, including deep constitutional reform. Lavrov said there could be no excuse for military action in the southeastern part of the country with the use of heavy weapons and planes, killing and injuring dozens, including civilians.