US welcomes move to broker talk between Kiev,pro-Moscow rebels

The US today welcomed moves to broker talks between the Ukrainian government and the Russian separatists in the country.
"We've worked very closely with our key ally, Germany, on this matter, and we commend the Ukrainian government's efforts to hold roundtables on constitutional reform and national unity, facilitated by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) including with Ukrainians from the eastern and southern regions of the country," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters at his daily news conference.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was in Ukraine to push Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels to hold talks after the OSCE drew up a roadmap aimed at easing the crisis.

The US calls on Russia to support this effort, Carney said in response to a question.
"The Ukrainian government in Kiev has proactively initiated a process whereby Ukrainians from the eastern and southern regions of the country can participate in roundtables to discuss a path forward through constitutional reform and discussions about national unity and the degrees of autonomy that regions of the country might have through a negotiated political dialogue," he said.
"That is the path to resolving these challenges. The path taken by separatists and endorsed by Russia is unacceptable, it's illegal under the Ukrainian constitution, and it is unacceptable under international law," the White House Press Secretary reiterated.

The United States, he said, commends the Ukrainian government for the efforts it has initiated.

"We certainly support the efforts of our allies and partners, who have stressed all along, as we have, that this is something that can be resolved appropriately through round tables and discussions and a national dialogue among Ukrainians throughout the country," he said.
Carney said the US is glad to see any support from Russia, or separatists for that matter, for the notion of an OSCE-led process or facilitated process around dialogue.
"That is certainly something we support, and that's something the Ukrainian government supports. But when it comes to Russia's rhetoric and its actions, we of course look very closely at its actions," he said.

"On the issues that concern us, the support for armed militants, separatists in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere, we have concerns that we've expressed quite clearly.
"The presence of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine continues to concern us. And despite statements by Russian government officials, we have not seen a pullback of Russian military units from the Ukrainian border, so these are matters that continue to be of great concern," Carney said.