The parties continued their discussion of the critical social and political developments in Ukraine. Ms Merkel made a request to assist Ukraine in releasing the military observers representing a number of European countries, including Germany, who were detained in the southeast of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin stressed that the most important thing now is to withdraw all military units from the south-eastern parts, stop the violence, and immediately start a national dialogue that would involve all regions and all political forces within the framework of a constitutional reform.
Both parties noted the importance of a maximum involvement of the OSCE’s intermediary potential all over Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to have another telephone conversation shortly.