AKIPRESS.COM - At the initiative of the American side, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation on March 17, the press service of the Kremlin reported.

The parties continued discussion of various aspects of the crisis in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin drew attention to the inability and unwillingness of the current Kiev authorities to curb ultra-nationalist and radical groups destabilizing the situation and terrorizing the civilians, including Russian-speaking population.

In this regard, the possibility to send an OSCE monitoring mission to Ukraine was highlighted, and activities of the mission should be extended to all Ukrainian regions.

Putin stressed that holding of the referendum in Crimea is fully consistent with international law and the UN Charter. The referendum took into account, in particular, the Kosovo independence precedent. The inhabitants of the peninsula were guaranteed the possibility of free will and self-determination.

Despite the differences in estimates of the situation, the parties should work together to seek ways to help stabilize Ukraine, both Presidents underlined.

U.S. President also congratulated his Russian counterpart on the success of the Paralympic Winter Games and asked to convey greetings to the participants of the competition.