U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a phone call about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

The two leaders agreed that any Russian intervention in Ukraine, even under purported "humanitarian" auspices, without the formal, express consent and authorization of the government of Ukraine is unacceptable, violates international law, and will provoke additional consequences, the White House said.

They reiterated that they will continue to urge Russia to engage with the international community and the Ukrainian government to find a political solution to the crisis, according to a statement issued by the White House.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday expressed concern over an alleged ongoing Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border.

In a phone talk, the two leaders also voiced their concern over Russia's statements suggesting a role for Russian "peacekeepers" in Ukraine and Moscow's continuing transfer of weapons to Russian "proxies" in Ukraine.

Russia on Monday started a week-long military drill involving over 100 bombers and fighter jets with the purpose of improving coordination between its aviation and air defense systems.

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