Merkel tells Putin to 'use influence' to rein in Ukraine rebels

13:43, 02.02.2016 1 min read

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence to rein in pro-Kremlin rebels in eastern Ukraine, a day after the German leader warned that a peace deal was not being fully implemented.

During a phone call, Merkel "made it clear to President Putin that in order to obtain further progress towards a comprehensive political solution", a ceasefire had to be respected and unfettered access given to observers monitoring the truce.

"Here, Russia must use its influence on the separatists," she said, according to a statement issued by her spokesman.

The conversation came a day after Merkel hosted Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko for talks, with the Ukrainian leader accusing Russia of continuing to send troops and weapons into his country in violation of a ceasefire deal.