This is the Kremlin's version of the Putin-Obama conversation today:
The two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Ukrainian crisis. Despite their significant differences in views on many fundamental issues, both sides stressed the urgency of an immediate and stable ceasefire in southeast Ukraine and the launch of a political process. In this regard, the two presidents gave a positive assessment of the consultations by a contact group held in Minsk and noted the importance of continuing talks in this format.
The two heads of state discussed many aspects of the relations between Russia and the US. The President of Russia described Washington’s actions to impose pressure through sanctions as counterproductive, causing serious damage to bilateral cooperation and international stability overall.
Both presidents agreed that the current state of affairs does not serve the interests of either state. In this context, the two leaders exchanged views on prospects for Russian-American dialogue.
Latest from our news desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told U.S. President Barack Obama that Western sanctions against his country are "counterproductive."
The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, the crisis in Ukraine, and U.S. charges that Russia is violating a key nuclear arms treaty during an August 1 telephone conversation.
Obama repeated his "deep concerns" about Russian support for separatist militants in eastern Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to keep channels of communication open, saying the current situation is not in the interests of either country.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and told him the United States will provide $8 million in new assistance to bolster Ukraine's border security. (AP, Reuters, and ITAR-TASS)
According to the BBC, the Ukrainian Security Service is publishing Stalin-era documents that its sister agency in Moscow is calling "top secret." Read more here.
RFE/RL takes a look at some of the groups supplying equipment, weapons, and volunteer fighters to both sides of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Read: Supplying The Front Lines In Eastern Ukraine
Here is today's map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine from the National Security and Defense Council:
