The leaders discussed the development of the situation in southeast Ukraine within the context of implementing the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015, stressing the need to meticulously and fully abide by them to deescalate the conflict.
Vladimir Putin stressed again that the most important condition for settling the situation is establishing direct dialogue between the Kiev authorities and representatives from Donetsk and Lugansk, including within the framework of the Contact Group.
Particular attention was given to issues of holding constitutional reforms in Ukraine and organising local elections in the Donbass region, as well as socioeconomic recovery in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions; the President of Russia noted that the de facto blockade of these regions seriously impedes such recovery.
The heads of state also touched upon the problems concerning Russian natural gas supplies to Ukraine.
During the conversation, Vladimir Putin warmly wished Angela Merkel a happy birthday.
