Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has accused Russia of risking a further escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine by sending an aid convoy into the region without Kiev`s permission.
Merkel`s office said that she called Putin today afternoon to express her "deep concern" about the fact that the convoy had crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border. She also spoke to Ukraine`s President Petro Poroshenko about the incident, praising his government`s cool-headed reaction.
Merkel says despite Russia`s actions, everything should be done to ensure the convoy reaches people in need and the same should be true for a Ukrainian aid convoy that is being blocked by the pro-Russian separatists.
Merkel is travelling to Kiev tomorrow for talks with Ukrainian leaders.