"During the exchange of opinions on the Ukrainian crisis, the leaders underlined the importance of further joint efforts aimed at the implementation of the Minsk agreements, including in light of the Normandy Four summit in Berlin on October 19," the press service said in a statement.
"In this regard, Putin and Merkel expressed concern over continuing violations of the 'silence regime' in Donbass," the statement said.
Moreover, the Russian and German leaders discussed the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine into Europe.
During the conversation, Putin mentioned the increasing risks of Ukraine illegally tapping into the pipeline throughout the forecast cold winter, the statement added, noting that the issue is set to be addressed via contacts between the Russian Energy Ministry, the Gazprom gas company and the European Commission.
