US, Germany urge Russia to move troops back from Ukraine
April 11, 2014 16:50
US President Barack Obama has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the situation in Ukraine and both leaders have called on Russia to move its troops back from the border region.
The White House said Obama spoke with Merkel about the concerning situation in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists, apparently with support from Moscow, continue an orchestrated campaign of incitement and sabotage to undermine
and destabilise the Ukrainian state.
"The leaders again called for Russia to move its troops back from the border region. They also discussed issues relating to the forthcoming meeting of the Ukrainian, Russian, and the US foreign ministers and EU High Representative," the White House said.
Obama and Merkel commended the Ukrainian government's efforts to move forward on constitutional reform, decentralisation, and democratic elections and emphasised the importance of the international community's strong financial support for Ukraine.