Luoyang aims to become 'Chinese Culture City'
Century-old jade disc found confirms ancient legend
A serious mind behind Chinese leader
Panda Cubs to Predict 2014 World Cup Winners
China Southern Airlines flight attendants win titles in service contest
Pupil's performance art persuades people to stop smoking
Nie Chenxi's clay tigers
Children's Day wishes
Chinese Kung Fu charms Silicon Valley
Tranquil Yankou ancient town
MOSCOW, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine only when there are no artillery fires in the country, said Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Russian parliament's upper house Saturday.
"We're ready for talks," Matviyenko said, "we'll hold negotiations and we'll meet."
Stressing "artillery fire is unacceptable for such meetings and talks," Matviyenko insisted that Ukraine "terminate the punitive operation."
Petro Poroshenko was sworn in Saturday as the fifth Ukrainian president at an inauguration ceremony held in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital.
Matviyenko also said that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko should make it clear that his country cannot overcome the crisis without Russia.
"It is impossible to resolve the political and economic crisis in Ukraine without Russia," she said.
"The presidential elections in Ukraine don't correspond to international standards in full. There are certain problems," Matviyenko said, "but we respect the Ukrainian people's choice."
The Ukrainian government has launched an "anti-terror" operation since April against insurgents in eastern Ukraine, accusing Russia of fomenting the unrest in the country.
The death toll of the separatist uprising has climbed to 181, plus some 300 injuries, according to the latest statistics released Tuesday.
Magnificent Hutiao Gorge
Heat waves hit China
Love at the construction site
Graduation photos bring memories back to life
Art school students present works in Nanjing
Xinjiang's first high-speed railway goes on trial run
3D Sea-life Themed Art Garage unveiled in Zhengzhou
Creative Photos go viral during graduation season
Students in last-minute effort for Gaokao
Dali, an ideal summer vacation destination
Xichan Temple's little monk hit the Internet
Monologue of a modern dancer
College girl proposes to boyfriend on Weibo
Special operation members in counter-terrorism training
American football brings manhood out of boysDay|Week|Month