Poroshenko calls on Merkel to toughen sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Berlin to support the toughening of the sanctions against Russia in connection with Moscow's decision to issue Russian passports to residents of Donbas, the Ukrainian presidential press service reported.

Merkel, in her turn, said the election process in Ukraine is fair and competitive and mentioned Poroshenko's personal role in holding a democratic election and implementing reforms in Ukraine.

The German chancellor said she hopes the new administration of Ukraine will follow the principle of continuity of its foreign policy, primarily as regards the EU and the development of Ukrainian-German strategic partnership. She also said that Ukraine would remain at the focus of the EU and German policies.