Putin, Merkel Discuss Kerch Strait Incident, Syria, INF Treaty In Phone Talks

Putin, Merkel Discuss Kerch Strait Incident, Syria, INF Treaty in Phone Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed in phone talks on Monday the recent Kerch Strait incident, as well as the situation around the INF Treaty and the developments in Syria, the Kremlin press service reported.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th December, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed in phone talks on Monday the recent Kerch Strait incident, as well as the situation around the INF Treaty and the developments in Syria, the Kremlin press service reported.

"The leaders continued the discussion of the situation that occurred as a result of the violation of the Russian state border by the Ukrainian ships on November 25. They expressed mutual interest in preventing the escalation of tensions in the Azov-Black Sea area and in resolving problems caused by provocative actions by the Ukrainian authorities," the press service said in a statement.

In addition, Putin and Merkel touched upon the subject of the Syrian conflict, stressing the priority nature of the tasks to promote the inter-Syrian dialogue and the formation of the Constitutional Committee, according to the statement.

"The leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the area of strategic security in light of the US administration's plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces [INF Treaty]. They agreed to continue contacts at various levels," the statement said.