Putin, Merkel emphasizing importance of holding Russia, EU, Kiev negotiations on gas

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday. The conversation was held at Merkel's initiative, Interfax reports. "The leaders of the two countries reiterated the importance of prompt negotiations on the safety of supply and transit of Russian gas involving representatives of Russia, the European Union, and Ukraine," the Russian presidential press service said in a report.

"Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel exchanged opinions on the critical situation in Ukraine and the unwillingness of the Kiev administration to fulfill the Geneva agreements of April 17, 2014.

Vladimir Putin sharply condemned the attempts made by the Kiev regime to use the army against civilians in the southeastern regions of the country," the Kremlin press service said.

The conversation also addressed issues relating to the work of the OSCE monitoring mission in Ukraine.

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