President Poroshenko: Russia must return Crimea to Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine, June 26 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke Thursday about Ukraine's relations with Russia.

At a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Poroshenko said that "Our relations cannot be normalized without the return of Crimea."

He went on to speak about his proposed peace plan for the restive eastern region of Ukraine, and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the plan during a phone call on Wednesday.

Such words, however, require action.

"We are waiting for such actions," Poroshenko said, and urged Russia to "Step up the border protection, put an end to the illegal flow of equipment, stop recruiting mercenaries and lastly, withdraw the troops."