Merkel calls on Putin regarding OSCE

The two leaders held a telephone conversation and discussed issues related to the current situation in Ukraine.


German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, to exert his influence to help achieve the release of detained military observers in Ukraine.

According to a statement by the German government, the two leaders held a telephone conversation and discussed issues related to the current situation in Ukraine.

Talks spanned the capture of an inspection team from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by pro-Russian protestors in eastern Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian presidential elections slated for May 25.

Merkel reminded Putin of Russia's responsibility as an OSCE member state and appealed to him to use his influence to help free the detainees, the statement said.

A German-led Vienna Document inspection team deployed by the OSCE and their Ukrainian escorts were detained by protesters in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, on Friday.

The group includes seven military officers - three from Germany and one each from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland and Sweden - and a German interpreter, along with five Ukrainian military escorts.

The Swedish inspector was released Sunday, as he reportedly suffered from diabetes. Other team members are still being held captive.

In a press conference with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday in Berlin, Merkel said Germany was using "all available diplomatic channels", including contacts with Russia, to help secure a release as soon as possible.

Andrey V. Kelin, Russian envoy to the OSCE, told reporters on Monday that Russia had already worked on this issue and would continue to take practical steps to ensure the release of the observers.