President greets Ukraine on independence day

“I renew my heartfelt appeal, so that the commitments undertaken to achieve pacification are respected, and with the help of organizations and people of good will, the humanitarian emergency in the country is responded to”, Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Sunday at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square for his traditional window appearance.

Poroshenko used a flag-raising ceremony in Kyiv on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day to call on his coalition allies to overcome their doubts and vote in favor of constitutional amendments that would grant special status to separatist-minded parts of eastern Ukraine.

Beginning with street protests in November 2013, the conflict escalated early the following year, in events which included the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych and the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russian Federation.

More than 6,800 people have died in the fighting in eastern Ukraine since April 2014. “May the Lord give peace to the beloved Ukrainian land, which is preparing to celebrate the national holiday tomorrow”.

The three will hold a press conference after their meeting. “As you work to implement critical reforms despite Russia’s aggression in the east and occupation of Crimea, the United States will remain steadfast in its support for Ukraine“, Obama said.

Referring to Ukrainian blood spilt in the east at the hands of the “Russian aggressor”, he said: “My direct call to all political forces, in the first instance to those who are together in the parliamentary coalition, is to come together now for the sake of Ukraine”.

Putin has denied that any Russian soldiers have entered Ukraine.