The two leaders discussed the crisis situation in Ukraine and today’s referendum in Crimea. President Putin pointed out that the Crimean people express their will in full accordance with international law, in particular, article 1 of the United Nations Charter that sets forth the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples. It has been stressed that Russia will respect the Crimean people’s choice.
Mr Putin also expressed concern over tensions in eastern and south-eastern parts of Ukraine being heated up by radical groups with the connivance of current Kiev authorities.
The parties had a constructive exchange of opinions on the possibility of sending an OSCE observer mission to Ukraine to monitor the situation there.
Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel agreed to continue discussing these issues in the course of their future contacts, including through the two nations’ foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov and Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The German Chancellor congratulated Mr Putin on the successful hosting of the Winter Paralympics in Sochi.