Cameron tells Putin: Ukraine situation 'not acceptable'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, that he will implement "protectionist measures" if Ukraine signs an agreement for closer ties to the EU.

However, Mr Putin also indicated that he would welcome any proposals to de-escalate the situation in the east of Ukraine, where there have been bloody clashes between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

Read: Cameron tells Putin: Ukraine situation 'not acceptable'

Barack Obama has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that he must recognise the new Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko in order to help de-escalate the crisis in eastern Ukraine.

According to a White House official, the US President also told Mr Putin that if Russia works with the new Ukrainian authorities there could be "openings" to reduce tensions in the region.

Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes added that Mr Obama had demanded "ceasing support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, and stopping the provision of arms and material across the border".

Read: Cameron tells Putin: Ukraine situation 'not acceptable'

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko came face-to-face with Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the first time since taking office at today's D-Day ceremony in Normandy.

Vladimir Putin has met the new Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko for the first time since the annexation of Crimea by the Kremlin.

The pair met on the sidelines of the D-Day commemoration ceremony in Normandy and agreed the need for a "speedy end to the bloodshed in southeastern Ukraine", according to a Kremlin spokesman quoted by the RIA Novosti agency.

"In a brief conversation, both Putin and Poroshenko called for a speedy end to the bloodshed in southeastern Ukraine as well as to fighting on both sides - by the Ukrainian armed forces as well as by supporters of the federalisation of Ukraine," Dmitrii Peskov said.

Read: Cameron tells Putin: Ukraine situation 'not acceptable'

The Prime Minister's warning to Vladimir Putin today was not very surprising - earlier David Cameron had been in Brussels with President Obama discussing the issue of Ukraine with other members of the G7.

He then travelled to Paris in preparation for the D-Day commemorations and in his meetings with Vladimir Putin, Mr Cameron was very clear in pointing out the costs and consequences that would follow for Russia if this crisis was not de-escalated.

The reality is that they're going to give this until about two or three weeks' time.

If Mr Putin has not made further steps to de-escalate the crisis, further sanctions will follow which will affect whole sectors of the Russian economy. But they hope it won't go that far.

Read: Cameron tells Putin: Ukraine situation 'not acceptable'

Prime Minister David Cameron said he gave Russian president Vladimir Putin a "very clear and firm set of messages" during face-to-face talks in Paris about the Ukraine crisis and said the current situation is "not acceptable".

David Cameron and Vladimir Putin have begun bilateral talks in Paris, with the Prime Minister already threatening the Russian President with further sanctions if his government does not do more to defuse the crisis in Ukraine.

Mr Cameron is expected to urge Mr Putin to recognise the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, as well as withdrawing any support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Read: PM: Russia must end 'interference' in Ukraine

David Cameron has promised to target key sectors of the Russian economy if Vladimir Putin does not take steps to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking alongside Barack Obama at a G7 press conference, the Prime Minister described Russia's actions as "totally at odds with the values of this group of democracies".

He added that the Russian President had to "recognise the legitimate election" of the new Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko and stop Russian support for separatist groups in eastern Ukraine.

"If these things don't happen then sectoral sanctions will follow. The next month will be vital in judging whether President Putin has taken these steps," Mr Cameron said.

Read: PM: Russia must end 'interference' in Ukraine

Russia's Prime Minister has accused the G7 group of nations - from which Russia has been excluded - of "cynicism without limit" over the Ukraine crisis.

News agency Interfax quoted Dmitrii Medvedev saying: "The so-called G7 even talks about the measured actions of the Ukrainian army against its own people. This is cynicism without limit."

His words refer to a joint G7 statement issued on Wednesday that called for the Ukrainian government to "maintain a measured approach in pursuing operations to restore law and order".

Read: PM: Russia must end 'interference' in Ukraine

World leaders attending the G7 summit in Brussels have posed for what is known as the "family photograph".