Ukraine’s Poroshenko says he will meet Putin in Italy next week

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Saturday that he will meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week to discuss the six-month conflict between Kiev and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Europe-Asia Meeting summit will be held in Milan from October 16-17, Poroshenko said while on a visit to eastern city Kharkiv. The talks will also include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, and British Prime Minister David Cameron along with the “leaders of the European Union,” Poroshenko said.

You know, I don’t expect that these will be easy negotiations. I’m used to it, I have large experience with complicated diplomatic talks. But I’m an optimist.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Putin and Poroshenko last met in late August for talks that led to a truce accord between Kiev and the pro-Russian rebels in eastern regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, where Ukraine says Moscow is stirring a bloody rebellion. The conflict has already killed more than 3,300 people. The United Nations says that more than 300 have died since the ceasefire. Fighting has continued in several areas along the frontline where the two sides have failed to pull back heavy artillery, as required under the ceasefire.

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