Putin - Merkel: OSCE the single point of contact

Russia agreed Friday with the remaining 56 Member States of the OSCE, to be sent a mission of observers in the territory of Ukraine for six months, but insisted that the mandate does not include the Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow since voters in the peninsula of the Black sea chose the integration of the region in Russia in a referendum that western governments denounced as a farce.

"The chancellor and Putin agreed that the OSCE mission is a welcome step (...) and in our opinion this is a good thing", said Stephen Zaimpert today. "During the discussion there was progress on other issues", added the spokesman of chancellery.

Merkel considers the decision of the OSCE to send an observer mission in Ukraine "a first step in order to avoid further escalation of the crisis", noted Zaimpert.

German Chancellor talked about "new worrying signs" with Putin, referring to the information that Russian troops concentrated on the border with Ukraine. She told to the Russian president that should be given special attention to the situation in Moldova.

The top military commander of NATO had said yesterday that Russia has developed very large force on the eastern border of Ukraine and added that he was concerned that this force may be a threat to the region of Moldova where separatist tendencies exist. Zaimpert also said that Merkel stressed that Russia has a responsibility to avoid bloodshed in Crimea. "The Chancellor stressed during that telephone communication that Russia, because of its actions, is now de facto responsible to ensure that there will be no bloodshed in the Crimea".

"The way which the Ukrainian Army was been handled in the Crimea causes great concern", added Zaimpert .
The two leaders agreed to stay in contact in an effort to increase the chances to find a political solution, said the spokesman of Merkel.