EU diplomats seek Moscow’s help on Ukraine

BRUSSELS – European Union leaders on Tuesday hailed the presidential election in Ukraine and called on Vladimir Putin’s Russia to do what it can to end the fighting in the country’s east.

Leaders of the 28 EU countries, meeting in Brussels, said they expect Russia to cooperate with Ukraine’s “newly elected and legitimate president,” Petro Poroshenko, winner of Sunday’s elections.

If Moscow doesn’t cooperate or fails to help halt the fighting, it could face stiffer economic sanctions, French President Francois Hollande said.

“President Putin must now not only respect the (election) outcome but also recognize the Ukraine president and make sure there is a de-escalation, which is expected and possible today,” Hollande said.

In a statement, the EU heads of state and government said that as a priority, Russia should prevent separatists and weapons from crossing the border into Ukraine. Russian troops should also continue to withdraw from areas near Ukraine, where NATO has said they have been exerting a coercive influence, the leaders said.