At Germany’s initiative, President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.
On the eve of Ms Merkel’s visit to Kiev on August 23, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. In particular, they discussed steps that Russia and Germany could take to help bring about a swift end to the military operations and get internal political dialogue underway in Ukraine.
Mr Putin said that given the needless delay Kiev caused in delivering Russian humanitarian aid to the people living through a humanitarian disaster in southeast Ukraine, the decision to send the convoy of vehicles on its way was made. Further delay would have been unacceptable.
Mr Putin also expressed serious concern that continued escalation of the Kiev government’s military operations in Donetsk and Lugansk Regions would lead to more loss of life among civilians.
Mr Putin and Ms Merkel agreed to continue their contacts on the situation in Ukraine.
Source: Kremlin.ru
