Talks over Ukraine crisis 'full of disagreements', Kremlin says
Kremlin says discussions with neighbour and European governments concerning ceasefire and gas supplies were 'full of disagreements'
Talks between Russia, Ukraine and European governments yesterday were "full of misunderstandings and disagreements", the Kremlin said, undercutting more upbeat messages from leaders hoping for a breakthrough in the Ukraine crisis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shook hands with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, at the start of a meeting with European leaders aimed at patching up a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and resolving a dispute over gas supplies.
The various leaders emerged an hour later telling reporters some progress had been made and promising further talks.
"It was good, it was positive," a smiling Putin said after the meeting, held on the margins of a summit of Asian and European leaders in Milan.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later poured cold water on hopes of any breakthrough, saying "certain participants" had taken an "absolutely biased, non-flexible, non-diplomatic" approach to Ukraine.
"The talks are indeed difficult, full of misunderstandings, disagreements, but they are nevertheless ongoing, the exchange of opinion is in progress," he said.