You're reading: Deutsche Welle: Putin and Merkel resume talks on Ukraine conflict

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on new attempts to bring about a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine in a phone call on Feb. 7. The plans include possible talks between their foreign ministers and counterparts from Ukraine and France.

“The chancellor and the Russian president agreed that new efforts must be made to secure a ceasefire and asked foreign ministers and their advisers to remain in close contact,” said German government spokesman Steffen Seibert. He added that Merkel asked Putin to use his influence on pro-Russian seperatists to bring an end to the violence in the Donetsk region.

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