Obama, Putin speak after Ukraine deal

File photo of US President Barack Obama (R) and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. (AFP/Ria-Novosti/Alexei Nikolsky)

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama on Friday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington pressed for swift implementation of a deal designed to end a Ukraine's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The call came at a prickly time in US-Russia relations with the two sides at odds over Ukraine, Syria and other issues, but also after Obama took pains to reject the idea that a new Cold War-style confrontation was brewing.

The call was confirmed by a US official, with more details expected to be released later.

Washington had offered staunch support for protesters in Kiev, demanding political concessions from the Moscow-backed government of President Viktor Yanukovych and had warned of "consequences" if violence which killed 100 people did not stop.

The White House gave an initial welcome to the deal and praised to European Union diplomats who helped to broker it.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said it was "consistent with what we have advocated in calling for a de-escalation of the violence, constitutional change, a coalition government, and early elections."

"We support the efforts of all those who negotiated this agreement, commend the courageous opposition leaders who recognized the need for compromise, and offer the support of the United States in its implementation," Carney said.

"We call for immediate implementation of the initial steps -- an end to the violence, amnesty and security normalization, and passage of the constitutional package in (parliament) -- to provide space for the negotiations to begin on formation of a technocratic coalition government."

Vice President Joe Biden had called Yanucovych on Thursday warning that the United States was ready to impose sanctions if he did not halt attacks by his security forces on demonstrators which have killed nearly 100 people.

Yanukovych's dramatic decision to hold early elections and form a new unity government was met with caution by tens of thousands gathered on central Kiev's main square.

The deal was signed in the presence of EU envoys, Yanukovych and three top opposition leaders who included boxer turned lawmaker Vitali Klitschko.

A representative for Putin missed the meeting. The White House statement, however, said the deal had been "witnessed" by Russia.

The constitutional change was approved within minutes of the deal's signature by 386 deputies in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada parliament.