The Empire Isn't Going to Like This: Putin Talks with Merkel and Hollande

Russia reports that Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and President of France Francois Hollande.

The three leaders discussed the crisis in Ukraine, stressing the need for the parties to the conflict in southeast Ukraine to implement in full the measures agreed under the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015. The three leaders noted the importance of strict compliance with the agreements on withdrawing heavy arms under OSCE monitoring and establishing demilitarised zones along the contact line.

 Putin expressed Russia’s concern over the increasingly frequent cases of Ukrainian forces firing at civilian sites, which has led civilian losses.

The three leaders exchanged views on possible further measures to ensure strict compliance with the ceasefire and de-escalate the tension.

Diplomacy, over arming rebels and sanctions, is not the way of the Empire.

-RW