Merkel sees Donbas local elections as pre-condition for restoration of Ukraine border control

11:20, 11.05.2015 1 min read

Holding local elections in Ukraine should lead to full control over its border, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

"We need to seek to secure Ukraine's territorial integrity. At the moment, we have four working groups (of the Contact Group) that deal with economy, humanitarian issues, social issues and the issue of local elections. Holding local elections should lead to the establishing of full control over the border," she told a press conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Germany and France are ready to continue work in this area, Merkel said. "Today I felt the same readiness on Russia's part," she said.