Washington, Rabi'II 22, 1436, February 11, 2015, SPA -- US President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine on the situation in the eastern part of the country and current talks on a cease-fire and peace deal, the White House said. Obama expressed condolences for the “continuing loss of life” of Ukrainian citizens and his “strong support” for the latest peace negotiations, the White House said in a statement. The two presidents welcomed the contributions of Germany and France in the effort to achieve a “sustainable, peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the statement said. Obama and Poroshenko also “agreed on the need for Russia to abide by the commitments it made in Minsk in September, which should remain the basis for a negotiated settlement,” the White House wrote. The U.S. leader emphasized the U.S. commitment to work with international partners to financially support the Kiev government as it continues to undertake “essential” reforms, the statement said. --SPA 10:59 LOCAL TIME 07:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w