DHAKA: United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon is heading to Russia and the Ukraine to encourage a peaceful settlement of the crisis threatening conflict between them.

His office said on Wednesday, reports The Straits Times.

Ban will meet with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday and with Ukraine’s interim leaders president Olexsandr Turchynov and prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in Kiev on Friday.

BDST: 2025 HRS, MAR 19, 2014