(VOVworld)- US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had telephone conversation  on Friday about situation in Ukraine. This is the first talk between two leaders since the US and the EU imposed new sanctions on Moscow over issues related to Ukraine.

Obama, Putin agree to start a political process in Ukraine

Both leaders agreed that the deadlock in Ukraine currently is benefiting neither Washington nor Moscow, so it’s necessary to start a political process in this country and continue talks between Ukraine, Russia and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. During the telephone conversation, Putin stressed that fresh sanctions that the US and EU imposed on Russia this week were "counterproductive" and would cause "serious damage to bilateral cooperation and international stability."

Obama said that the United States remains deeply concerned about Moscow's increased support for separatists in Ukraine and called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine.