Japan's Abe urges Putin to ensure Ukraine ceasefire holds

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands before their talks in Beijing November 9, 2014. REUTERS/Kyodo

BEIJING (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to play a constructive role in ensuring that a shaky ceasefire in Ukraine holds.

In bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit, Abe expressed concern that actions by pro-Russian separatists were complicating the situation in Ukraine, according to Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato.