Following on from the talks in Milan on October 16–17, the two leaders continued discussing the situation with the conflict in Ukraine. Mr Putin emphasised the need to deescalate the situation in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, above all through a genuine ceasefire, guaranteed security along the line separating the parties to the conflict, and provision of urgent humanitarian aid.
Mr Putin and Ms Merkel noted in this respect that it would be good to hold another meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine in the near future.
The two leaders noted the importance of reaching an agreement on the gas issue and expressed the hope that the upcoming round of tripartite consultations between representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on October 29 in Brussels will produce results.
Mr Putin and Ms Merkel discussed other current international issues too and agreed to step up their common efforts to fight the spread of the Ebola virus.