LONDON - A Downing Street spokesperson said British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday made a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Ukraine, particularly the escalating tensions in Crimea.

"The Prime Minister emphasized that all countries should respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said Putin agreed, stressing that Russian military exercises in the area had been planned before the current situation in Ukraine.

The two leaders discussed how the international community could support Ukraine on the path to stability.

Both of them agreed that the free and fair elections that the interim government has pledged to hold are the best way to secure a positive future for Ukraine in which all Ukrainian people are represented.

The two also agreed the international community should also consider how to help the interim government tackle the economic situation, according to the spokesperson.

The two leaders plan to keep in touch on the issue, according to the spokesman.