Merkel urges Putin to reduce Russian troops on Ukraine border
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call today to reduce Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine, her office says in a statement, according to AFP.
“One subject of their conversation was, among others, the increased Russian military presence near eastern Ukraine,” the statement says. “The chancellor called for a reduction of these troop reinforcements to de-escalate tensions.”
Earlier on Wednesday, senior diplomats of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Lithuania and Poland held an online meeting during which they expressed concern over what they call intensifying military activities of Russia near the borders of Ukraine, Sputnik said, citing the US Department of State.