Burkhalter, the OSCE rotating chairperson for 2014, arrived in Moscow today for the meeting with Putin.
The two made brief comments to the media before going into a private meeting.
Putin said he was prepared to discuss a way out of the crisis in Ukraine and told Burkhalter "I know you have your own proposals…of how to find a way out of the situation" in Ukraine.
Putin added, "Our position is known."
Burkhalter's visit comes as violence in Ukraine is increasing and spreading as Ukrainian government forces attempt to chase pro-Russian separatists from areas they control.
Photos: Face-to-Face With Ukraine's Pro-Russian Separatists http://t.co/RMxlulS2jY via @mashable
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 7, 2014
An angry crowd gathered at a police station, shouting at police through gate. Police fired multiple bursts. Scattered crowd.
— Matt McGarry (@mattmcgarry) May 7, 2014
Suddenly reinforcements drive up. All in black, balaclavas, guns blazing. Shooting just over heads. Terrifying. #Mariupol #Ukraine
— Matt McGarry (@mattmcgarry) May 7, 2014
@abcnews team forced to ground at gunpoint with other onlookers. One local man beaten with pistol. Women screaming. #Mariupol #Ukraine
— Matt McGarry (@mattmcgarry) May 7, 2014
Black-clad soldier shouting "faces in the dirt!" "You want to go to Russia? Then go!!" Pointing gun muzzle at us. #Mariupol #Ukraine
— Matt McGarry (@mattmcgarry) May 7, 2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
@shaunwalker7 @leonidragozin Sberbank + 9% Gazprom + 6% etc etc
— Jacob (@jwhmoscow) May 7, 2014
Why the change of heart from #Putin? Was he losing control of uprising in E #Ukraine? Does he fear sanctions more than he's letting on?
— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) May 7, 2014
Or it was dangerously over-successful? RT @leonidragozin: I think Putin has just admitted that attempted insurrection in Donbass has failed.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) May 7, 2014
Source tells @NBCNews that those running the referendum in Eastern Ukraine are 'considering' President Putin's call for a delay to the vote.
— Keir Simmons (@KeirSimmons) May 7, 2014
I think by now some rebels may be realising the (Russian) cavalry isn't coming.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 7, 2014
Speaking after meeting today with Swiss President Didier Burkhalter, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Putin called on the pro-Russian separatists to hold their referendums at a later date.
At the same time Putin called on authorities in Kyiv to immediately halt security operations in eastern Ukraine aimed at wresting control of several cities and towns from the pro-Russian separatists.
Putin also said the planned presidential elections in Ukraine, set for May 25, were a "step in the right dircetion" but would not help solve that country's problems and he blamed the "organizers of the February coup [in Ukraine]" for allowing the situation in their country to get out of control.
Putin said Russia's approach to resolving the conflict in Ukraine, and the approach of the OSCE coincide "to a substantial degree."