This Article is From Apr 25, 2014

German Chancellor Angela Merkel voices 'great concern' on Ukraine in call to Vladimir Putin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel voices 'great concern' on Ukraine in call to Vladimir Putin

File photo of German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to voice her "great concern" over the standoff with pro-Moscow separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, her spokesman said.

"She expressed her great concern over the tense situation in eastern Ukraine and said she expects Russia's government to express its commitment to the Geneva agreement and to cooperate in its implementation," said spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Ukraine, Russia, the European Union and the United States last week signed a deal in Geneva aimed at easing tensions in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian gunmen have occupied government buildings.

"Russia should publicly declare that it fully supports the Geneva declaration and it should publicly call on the armed pro-Russian groups in Ukraine to refrain from violence and lay down their arms," Seibert said.

He said that so far Russia's position since the Geneva deal had been "absolutely disappointing" and "we can see no progress whatsoever".
His comments echoed an earlier sharp rebuke to Moscow by US Secretary of State John Kerry and came as US President Barack Obama was to speak to European leaders including Merkel in a conference call.
Seibert, speaking at a Berlin press conference, said "sanctions are already in place" against Russia and that "you have to face the facts - in case nothing changes, it is important to be prepared for more" sanctions.

Moscow confirmed the phone call but threw the blame for the crisis at the Ukrainian government, which it accused of "unwillingness to implement the Geneva agreements".

"Vladimir Putin sharply condemned attempts by the Kiev regime to use armed forces against peaceful civilians in the southeast of the country," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Kremlin said Putin and Merkel had also discussed Russian gas shipments, a crucial source of energy for Ukraine and much of Europe.

"The leaders of both countries stressed it was important to conduct as soon as possible talks on issues relating to the security of supplies and transit of Russian gas involving representatives of Russia, the European Union and Ukraine," it said.
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