U.S. expecting "significant progress" in de-escalation in eastern Ukraine

The United States said on Monday that it was hoping for "significant progress" this week in ending the ongoing attacks in eastern Ukraine.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf cited encouraging developments in the past few days, including the Friday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President- elect Petro Poroshenko in Normandy, France, and Moscow's sending back of its ambassador for Poroshenko's inauguration on Saturday.

"And we would welcome President Putin's comments that he will take action to secure the border between Russia and Ukraine more effectively, to prevent the flow of armed fighters and weapons," Harf said at a daily news briefing.

"I think we could see significant progress," she added, calling on Russia to "follow up its words with actions."