Merkel and Putin discuss Kerch standoff and Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held the phone talks, the Kremlin press service reported.

"The leaders continued the discussion of the situation that occurred as a result of the violation of the Russian state border by the Ukrainian ships on November 25. They expressed mutual interest in preventing the escalation of tensions in the Azov-Black Sea area and in resolving problems caused by provocative actions by the Ukrainian authorities," the press service said in a statement.

In addition, Putin and Merkel touched upon the subject of the Syrian conflict, stressing the priority nature of the tasks to promote the inter-Syrian dialogue and the formation of the Constitutional Committee, according to the statement.

The leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the area of strategic security in light of Washington's plans to withdraw from the INF Treaty. They agreed to continue contacts at various levels.