Ukraine’s new President Petro Poroshenko says fighting in the eastern part of his country must end “this week”, and pro-Russian separatists must give up their arms.  Meanwhile, fighting raged around Sloviansk and Torez as the militants continue to hold a number of Ukrainian government buildings.

President Poroshenko made his comments at talks involving an envoy from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Russia’s ambassador to Ukraine. 

“For me, every day that people die, every day that Ukraine pays such a high price is unacceptable,” said Poroshenko in a statement, stressing that it is vital to “restore the Ukrainian border so that the safety of each Ukrainian citizen is guaranteed”.  That’s a clear reference to Crimea, which he insisted is still Ukrainian territory when he spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin during last week’s D-Day Commemoration Ceremonies in France.

As for the separatists, Poroshenko made his feelings clear during his inauguration over the weekend:  “Talking to gangsters and killers is not our avenue.”