Biden: US supports Ukraine-Russia peace talks

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden says the United States strongly supports negotiations among Ukraine, Russia and international diplomats to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The White House says Biden spoke by phone Wednesday with Ukraine's new president, Petro Poroshenko. It was their second conversation in two days.

The White House says Poroshenko told Biden he's still committed to his offer to grant amnesty to insurgents who lay down their arms or allow them to return to Russia.

Biden told Poroshenko the U.S. applauds the peace plan he presented Saturday during his inauguration. Biden says Moscow must recognize Poroshenko as Ukraine's legitimate leader, stop supporting pro-Russian separatists and prevent arms from flowing over the border.

The White House says the leaders also conferred on the security situation in eastern Ukraine.