Kremlin: Putin's talks with EU, Poroshenko "full of disagreements"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Talks between Russia, Ukraine and European governments on Friday, Oct 17 were "full of misunderstandings and disagreements", the Kremlin said, undercutting more upbeat messages from leaders hoping for a breakthrough in the Ukraine crisis, Reuters reported.

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.

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.

A similar message emerged overnight after Putin met German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a formerly cordial relationship that has come under heavy strain from Moscow's support for pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The meeting was reported by both sides to have made little progress, with the Kremlin saying "serious differences" remained in their analysis of a crisis.

Putin, Poroshenko, Merkel and French President Francois Hollande were due meet later in the day, their aides said.

The West has imposed sanctions on Russia after annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian militants.