Putin and Obama urge each other to "use their influence"

Putin and Obama urge each other to "use their influence"

WASHINGTON, MOSCOW -- U.S. President Barack Obama appealed on Russian President Vladimir Putin to convince "pro-Russian groups" in eastern Ukraine to lay down their arms.

As announced by the White House, Obama last night held a telephone conversation with Putin.

"The president emphasized that all irregular forces in the country need to lay down their arms, and he urged President Putin to use his influence with these armed, pro-Russian groups to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized," a statement quoted Obama as saying.

Previously, the Kremlin announced that during the conversation, Putin called on Obama use his country's influence in Ukraine to prevent the use of force and bloodshed.

Putin told Obama that reports about Russia interfering in Ukraine were "based on questionable information."

Both sides agreed they would try to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis ahead of international talks on Ukraine, scheduled for April 17 in Geneva.

Protesters in the east took government offices and police stations in more than ten towns. The authorities in Kiev, as well as the West, accuse Russia of organizing it.

Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov said on Monday an "anti-terrorist operation" would be launched "but a deadline passed with no large-scale action from Kiev," the BBC reported.