Russian President Vladimir Putin Discusses Donbas Situation With Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko: Kremlin

Kremlin’s press administration reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone discussion with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, talking about the circumstances in Donbas.

ABUJA, December 17 (Ooduarere) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone discussion with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, examining the circumstances in Donbas (Ukraine’s southeastern areas), Kremlin’s press administration published Wednesday.

Kremlin’s statement stressed “the importance of a swift meeting of the Contact Group with the aim of implementing the Minsk agreements and facilitating dialogue between Kiev and [Ukraine’s] southeast”.

“The issues of the economic recovery of the affected regions [Donbas] and the provision of humanitarian and social support to the [local] population have [also] been discussed,” the statement added.