U.S. warns Russia over Ukraine ahead of peace talks

(Vatican Radio) U.S. President Barack Obama has warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russia will face greater costs if it continues what he called “aggressive actions in Ukraine,” after at least four soldiers and eight civilians died in rocket attacks on the government controlled city of Kramatorsk.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:

Obama spoke with Putin ahead of peace talks later Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus, attended by the Russian, Ukrainian, French and German leaders.

The White House said in a statement that Obama told Putin in a phone call that Washington supports Ukraine's sovereignty and that it was crucial to reach a diplomatic solution.

Obama, who is considering sending heavy weapons, to Ukrainian government forces warned however that if “Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including by sending troops, weapons and financing to support the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise,” the White House added.

He also spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, whose troops are battling pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. 

‘CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY’

The Ukrainian leader visited the government-controlled city of Kramatorsk where a dozen people were killed in rocket attacks on an army base and residential area.

“I have here in my hands some metal part which was taken from the people here in the hospital,” said Poroshenko, showing reporters what appeared to be a piece of shrapnel.

“This is a disaster, this is a crime against humanity,” said Poroshenko. “We demand the immediate, unconditional ceasefire, withdrawal of the troops, closing the border and the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Ukrainian territory.”

Poroshenko was to meet Putin, as well as French President Francois Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel for peace talks Wednesday in Minsk.

Ahead of the gathering, Hollande said he travels to the Belarusian capital with “the firm desire” to reach a peace deal.

His attempts received a boost by reports that representatives of Russia, Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels and the Europe's security organization OSCE agreed in separate talks in Minsk on a ceasefire deal, which would include the withdrawal of heavy weapons and ways to monitor peace.