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Kerry speaks with Poroshenko, reiterated US support amid end of cease-fire

WASHINGTON, July 1 (KUNA) - - Secretary of State John Kerry spoke over the phone with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and reiterated the US' support to Ukraine through Poroshenko's end to the country's cease-fire with the pro-Russian separatists.
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters Tuesday, "The ultimate goal here is to get back to a cease-fire, get back to a peace plan, but it takes two parties to put that in place and to keep it in place." Harf highlighted that, "Poroshenko put in place a seven-day cease-fire; he abided by it. He extended it for three days. But the fact remains that the separatists weren't adhering to it, and he has a right to defend his country." Kerry "welcomed his (Poroshenko's) continued commitment to pursue his peace plan, including the offer of amnesty, decentralization of power to the region, political dialogue and the economic revitalization of the eastern part of the country." Additionally the leaders discussed how the US, "and our European partners are willing to do more to press Russia to end support to the separatists." Harf noted the US is continually "preparing more costs for Russia if it does not take further steps." (end) ak.bs