Hollande Says Global Agreement Key to End Violence in Ukraine

Before departing for Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel, the French president underscored the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement on the Ukrainian crisis resolution.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A global agreement to end violence in Ukraine is the key goal of French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the French president said Friday.

"Everyone knows that the first step must be a ceasefire, but it is not enough. We must get a comprehensive agreement," Reuters quoted Hollande as saying in Paris before departing for Moscow.

Both Hollande and Merkel were in Kiev on Thursday to hammer out a deal with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to end the crisis in the country. Both leaders will arrive in Moscow Friday evening to discuss the new reconciliation plan with Putin.

"Having spent several hours in Kiev, (the goal) is indeed to get an agreement," the agency quoted him as saying.

The President of France announced his intention to visit the Russian capital during a press conference Thursday. Hollande stated that he and Merkel aimed to reach an agreement suitable to all parties, adding that new proposals on regulating the Ukrainian crisis will be based on "maintaining the territorial integrity" of the country.

The high-level talks between the leaders come in the midst of the deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine since the start of the year, as well as reports that Washington is considering supplying Kiev with lethal aid.