Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and President of France François Hollande in continuation of discussion on the crisis in Ukraine.

The parties gave a positive assessment to the meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in Berlin on July 2 and the Joint Statement they approved. In particular, compliance with the statement’s clause on the need for a long-term ceasefire and another meeting of the contact group no later than July 5 was considered of great importance.