Cameron, Putin seek diplomatic solution of Ukraine crisis

London, March 10: British Prime Minister

and Russian President

favoured finding a "diplomatic solution" of the situation in

, as they help talks over phone on Sunday, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

"The Prime Minister made clear that we, along with our European and American partners, want to work with Russia to find a diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine, including Crimea," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"President Putin agreed that it is in all our interests to have a stable Ukraine. He said that Russia did want to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis," the spokesperson stated.

Cameron also urged Putin to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to support the formation of a "contact group" that could lead to what Britain described as "direct talks between the governments of Russia and Ukraine," according to the spokesperson.

Putin said he would discuss the proposals on the contact group with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Monday, the spokesperson noted.

The two leaders also discussed the economic challenges facing Ukraine and agreed that the international community would need to provide financial support in the months ahead, added the spokesperson.

Confronting the Ukraine crisis, a mission from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including two monitors from Albania, were sent to Crimea sunday, a press release on Albanian Council of Ministers website reads.

IANS