Putin, Ukraine leader talk peace in phone call

The leaders of Ukraine and Russia talked peace on Thursday amid the longstanding tensions between the countries over the grinding unrest in eastern Ukraine, CNN reported.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin chatted over the telephone, according to Poroshenko's office. Putin also spoke with the German and French leaders amid regional concern over the crisis.

Poroshenko discussed the main points and the implementation of a peace plan for eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian authorities have been at odds with pro-Russia separatists.

Putin, according to the statement, backs an effort to de-escalate tensions in eastern regions and a process to forge a cease-fire and a peace plan.

In his conversation with Putin, Poroshenko stressed the need for the release of Ukrainian hostages and to establish effective security controls on the border with Russia.