Merkel asks Putin to help free OSCE observers

(Tanjug, file)

Merkel asks Putin to help free OSCE observers

MOSCOW -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help free a team of OSCE observers captured in Ukraine by a pro-Russian militia.

"Angela Merkel made a request to help facilitate the release of military observers from a number of European countries including Germany that had been detained in the southeast of Ukraine," the Kremlin said following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

"Both sides noted the importance of utilizing the mediating potential of the OSCE across Ukraine to the maximum degree," the statement added, and said the call was initiated by Merkel.

The captured OSCE observers were shown to reporters on Sunday. One was previously released for health reasons, while others said they were in good health. A rebel leader told the media that they were "prisoners of war," and NATO spies.

During their conversation on Thursday, Putin told Merkel that the withdrawal of Ukrainian military units from the south-east of the country, ending violence and launching a national dialogue, "are key issues."

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