Putin calls for efforts to end Ukraine crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to spare no effort in peacefully settling the situation.

"I propose both sides ... to take urgent measures to stop shelling each other, as well as to immediately withdraw heavy weaponry," Russia's Channel One Television quoted Putin's message sent to his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko.

"Recent developments in southeastern Ukraine, the resumed shelling of settlements in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, cause grave concern and actually jeopardize the peace settlement process based on the September Minsk agreement," Putin said.