MOSCOW, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called on the parties to the conflict in southeastern Ukraine to exercise restraint, the Kremlin said.

In a phone conversation, Putin and Merkel voiced support for negotiations in order to fully implement the 2015 Minsk agreements, which are the only legal foundation for a peace settlement.

The leaders expressed concerns over the escalation of tensions in southeastern Ukraine.

Putin noted the "provocative actions" of Kiev, which is now "deliberately aggravating" the situation along the line of contact with insurgents in Donbas.

Putin and Merkel agreed on further close coordination of Russian and German efforts in resolving the intra-Ukrainian crisis. Enditem

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