Putin calls for long-term Ukraine ceasefire

With hours remaining on a Ukrainian ceasefire with separatist groups -- Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"Most important is securing a long-term ceasefire as a necessary condition for substantive talks between the authorities in Kiev and representatives of the southeastern regions."

Poroshenko is under pressure from the West to extend the existing ceasefire, but Ukrainian forces worry that it will give the separatists time to regroup. They also point several breaches of the ceasefire, including the downing of a helicopter on Tuesday.

Putin also sought to reframe the dialogue, which he says misses the mark.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"The unconstitutional revolution in Kiev, attempts to force on the Ukrainian people an artificial choice between Europe and Russia, bringing the society to the split, to a painful internal confrontation."