U.S., Irish leaders urge "full" implementation of Minsk deals

U.S. President Barack Obama and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Tuesday called for a "full" implementation of the Minsk peace deals seeking to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Obama told reporters that he and the Taoiseach agreed on the importance of having a "firm and resolute" approach to the Ukraine conflict and making sure the accords are "fully" implemented.

The ceasefire agreements reached in September last year and in February this year in the Belarusian capital of Minsk have not been fully implemented, with sporadic fighting still besieging Ukraine's east, where some 6,000 people have been killed since April last year.

Kenny stressed the need to have "clarity" on more sanctions against Russia over its failure to back the deals' execution, saying the European Union had expressed its readiness to coordinate with Washington in taking more punitive measures against Moscow in case of the deals' failure to bring peace to the eastern part of Ukraine.

Obama said they also discussed security issues, challenges facing the Middle East, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, the European economy, and the issue of stemming the flow of foreign fighters to the U.S. and Europe.

Obama praised Kenny for his efforts to reinvigorate his country 's economy.

"Ireland is on the move after a very challenging financial crisis and economic recession," the president said. "Under the Taoiseach's leadership, finances have stabilized, the economy is growing again and unemployment is beginning to come down."

Kenny, who became the Taoiseach in March 2011, had visited the White House over the past three years to mark the St Patrick's Day, which falls on Tuesday, as the Irish national holiday is also celebrated across the U.S. where there are a large number of Irish descendants.

Obama said he received a book of poetry by Irish poet William Yates from Kenny, "one of his favorite poets." Endite