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British Prime Minister David Cameron has told Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring Russia’s military activity in Ukraine to an end. The British Prime Minister is the first Western leader to meet Putin after Russia annexed Crimea. Putin has been cold-shouldered by the US and its allies since the annexation.
Vladimir Putin met with David Cameron on Thursday in Paris; he is set to talk later with French President Francois Hollande. The Russian President’s return to international limelight, ahead of the D-Day anniversary ceremony in Normandy on Friday, came on a day when the Ukrainian government admitted to losing control of a portion of its eastern border to separatist forces the West believes is being supported by Russia.
Cameron arrived for the meeting directly from a meeting of G7 leaders in Brussels, which issued Russia a warning that it would face further sanctions if it did not stop what the G7 considers as efforts to destabilize Ukraine.
“This was a meeting with a very clear and firm set of messages, which is that there is an opportunity for a successful, peaceful and stable Ukraine especially now there’s been a presidential election.But the status quo, the situation today, is not acceptable and it needs to change”, Cameron told the BBC.
“Russia needs to properly recognize and work with this new president. We need de-escalation. We need to stop arms and people crossing the border. We need action on these fronts but if that happens there is a diplomatic path that is open to have proper relations between Ukraine and Russia and a successful future for the people of Ukraine, which is what they deserve”, he added.
Putin is set to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel tomorrow before the D-Day ceremony. He has no formal meeting scheduled with US counterpart Barack Obama, but the US President indicated in Brussels that it is likely they would have some kind of exchange.
“I have no doubt that I’ll see Mr. Putin. Should we have the opportunity to talk, I’ll deliver the same message as I have throughout this crisis. If Russia’s provocations continue, it’s clear from our discussions here the G7 nations are ready to impose additional costs”, Obama said.
