The Kremlin said talks between Russia, Ukraine and European leaders were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “certain participants” has taken an “absolutely biased, non-flexible, non-diplomatic” approach to Ukraine.
That contradicts more upbeat messages from delegates hoping to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who hosted the meeting as part of the Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit in Milan, said progress had been made but differences remain.
“It was breakfast without breakfast because nobody drank Italian coffee,” he said.
“Nobody left the chair to share the milk, the tea, the coffee, but this is an interesting signal about the necessity of discussion and I hope [during] the next hours we will have some steps ahead. Now after these meetings of Milan I’m more positive and I hope we can work together very, very strongly,” continued Renzi.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who attended the meeting, tweeted an official video statement during which he talks about “positive developments.”
Implementation #Ukraine peace plan is key. Statement after meeting with presidents #Putin, Poroshenko & EU leaders: http://t.co/mxW4SgalAZ.— Herman Van Rompuy (euHvR) 17 Octobre 2014
Putin, Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who all attended the meeting, plan to hold their own talks later on Friday (October 17).
Simona Volta, euronews correspondent reported: “In Milan it’s another day of bilateral and multilateral talks. Putin and Poroshenko’s positions remain different. Perhaps another day with no solution to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.”
José Manuel Barroso tweeted this image of him with Van Rompuy and Poroshenko before the meeting.
Mtg now w/ President Poroshenko of #Ukraine at the margins of #ASEM2014 Summit in Milan pic.twitter.com/HSI2qAy332— José Manuel Barroso (BarrosoEU) 16 Octobre 2014
