You're reading: Kremlin: Putin discusses Crimea with Merkel

Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday, the Kremlin's press service reported.

“Responding to Merkel’s concern over the developments in Crimea and Ukraine in general that she expressed during the call, Putin drew attention to the unrelenting threat of violence by ultra-nationalist forces that endangers life and legitimate interests of Russian citizens and the entire Russian population. It was stressed that the measures taken by Russia are fully in line with the current extraordinary situation,” the report said.

“Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel agreed to continue consultations in the bilateral (between the countries’ foreign ministries) and multilaterally promote the normalization of the political situation in Ukraine,” the report said.

The telephone conversation took place according to preliminary agreement, the Russian president’s press service said.