German Chancellor Angela Merkel has had a phone call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Ukraine, in particular, the entry of the Russian humanitarian convoy into Ukraine, the Federal Government of Germany said in a statement on its Web site.
Merkel “expressed deep concern about the fact that the convoy, without the consent of Ukraine, escort of the International Red Cross and to some extent without prior inspection, has crossed the border [into Ukraine], and Russia thus added escalation to an already tense situation.”
In this case, the German chancellor “highly appreciated Ukraine’s balanced response.”
According to Merkel, despite the fact that Russia’s actions should be condemned, the convoy must bring humanitarian aid to those in need without obstacles. “But it should equally apply to the Ukrainian convoy, previously blocked by separatists,” the statement reads.
Merkel also called for an agreement on an immediate ceasefire and security on the border.
A contact group of representatives of the OSCE, Ukraine, and Russia will play an important role in this issue, Merkel said.
