Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The parties discussed the escalation of tension in the territory of Donbass. This was reported by the press service of the President of Russia.
“Vladimir Putin drew attention to the provocative actions of Kiev, which has recently been purposefully exacerbating the situation on the contact line. The need was emphasized for the Kiev authorities to strictly implement the previously reached agreements, primarily on establishing a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and legalizing the special status of Donbass”, – the Kremlin reports.
Putin and Merkel addressed the parties to the conflict with an appeal for “restraint and intensification of the negotiation process in order to fully implement the 2015 Minsk Package of Measures as an uncontested basis for a settlement”.
“The disposition was confirmed for further close coordination of the efforts of Russia and Germany, including in the “Normandy format”, through political advisers and foreign ministries”, – the press service said.