You're reading: RFE/RL: Putin, Zelensky speak by phone ahead of fresh truce in eastern Ukraine

RFE/RL: Putin, Zelensky speak by phone ahead of fresh truce in eastern Ukraine

Published July 27, 2020. Updated July 27 at 6:03 am

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference marking his first year in office at Kyiv's Maryinsky Palace on May 20, 2020. Zelensky made it clear at this press conference that he wants to be "remembered as the president who built good roads in Ukraine."

Photo by Kostyantyn Chernichkin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine hours before a fresh cease-fire was due to enter into force. Both expressed support for the truce between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists that is set to begin at midnight on July 27.