MOSCOW, May 26 - Russia said on Monday it was ready for dialogue with Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's next president, but warned the Kiev authorities not to step up armed operations against separatists in the east, Reuters reported.

Echoing remarks by President Vladimir Putin in the past few days, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the key to resolving Ukraine's crisis was genuine dialogue between Kiev and the east - where pro-Russian separatists have rebelled against the national leadership.