Putin And Poroshenko Discuss Peace Over The Phone

A telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko recently addressed the subject of peace, according to Poroshenko's office, CNN reported Thursday.

Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a standoff since March, when Russia annexed Crimea and positioned troops along the border. Ukraine's government in Kiev has accused Russia of allowing military equipment, including tanks, to cross the border and reach pro-Russia rebels who have been fighting Ukraine's government forces for weeks and have sought to secede from Ukraine. The ensuing violence has claimed more than 350 lives and displaced thousands since mid-April, according to UN estimates.

"The plan will start with my order for a unilateral ceasefire," Poroshenko said. "Immediately after this, we need very quickly to get support for the peace plan ... from all participants."

Putin also reportedly spoke with German and French leaders, as eastern Ukraine continues to contend with heated unrest, where some pro-Moscow rebels have also proclaimed the creation of the Donetsk People's Republic.

At a military institute in Kiev on Wednesday, Poroshenko outlined to students a 14-step plan, including an amnesty for separatist fighters who lay down arms, and tighter controls over Ukraine's border with Russia, according to Reuters.

"We expect that hostages and seized premises will be liberated. We expect that a large number of civilians will use the security guarantees for the citizens of Donbas," Poroshenko said, referring to Ukraine's eastern region, according to CNN.

And, in Kiev, acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval told journalists that the ceasefire "will happen in the next few days."