BERLIN (Sputnik) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed the case of Nadezhda Savchenko, the Ukrainian national on trial in Russia over the murder of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine, the head of the German governmental press and information agency, Steffen Seibert, said Monday.
Last week, Ukrainian media suggested that Putin had reportedly promised Merkel to release Savchenko as soon as the court verdict had been announced.
"I do not comment on information from 'informed sources' but, of course, the Savchenko case has been discussed by the chancellor and President Putin," Seibert told a press briefing.
Earlier this month, Savchenko pledged to refuse both liquids and solid food in protest at the postponement of her final submission in the trial against her, being heard by a southern Russia court. Last week, one of Savchenko’s lawyers said she had begun taking liquids but would continue the hunger strike.
Also last week, Kiev asked Berlin to send doctors to see Savchenko. Shortly afterward, Berlin said it would consider the request.
