Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spoken by phone to discuss steps to assist the stabilization in eastern Ukraine and the delivery of Russian aid, the Kremlin said on Aug. 22.
“Putin stressed that, considering the obvious hurdles on the part of Kyiv on the issue of delivery of Russian aid to the southern regions of Ukraine experiencing a humanitarian disaster, it was decided that the automobile convoy should go ahead. Further protraction would be unacceptable,” the statement said.
“Also, a serious concern was expressed over the ongoing massive escalation of the military operation by the Kyiv authorities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, leading to more casualties among civilians,” the spokesperson said.
