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Germany, France press Putin to help calm Ukraine

Posted May 09, 2014 11:00 pm

Associated Press

German chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a statement during a news conference with French President Francois Hollande, in Stralsund, northern Germany, Saturday May 10, during the second day of Hollande's two days visit to Merkel's scenic home constituency on the Baltic coast. One of the main talking points was expected to be over whether the European Union should impose further sanctions on Russia, for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis. Associated Press

BERLIN - Germany and France pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to do more to calm the situation in Ukraine and make May 25 presidential elections there possible, with Chancellor Angela Merkel insisting Saturday that Putin must send "more signals of de-escalation."

Merkel described sovereignty referendums planned Sunday by pro-Russian insurgents in two troubled eastern Ukrainian regions as "illegal," while French President Francois Hollande said they "carry no weight."

The rebels are going ahead with the referendum despite Putin's call on Wednesday to delay the vote.

Merkel said she and Hollande agreed to "make clear that the Russian president must send more signals of de-escalation so that (presidential) elections can take place."

"There have been initial signs, but this must be strengthened so that the message gets through to eastern and southern parts of Ukraine that everyone wants fair and general presidential elections," she added.

"If that doesn't happen, it would contribute to a further destabilization of Ukraine," Merkel said, stressing that European leaders would then be ready to toughen sanctions.

"We have relations with Vladimir Putin; we are using them so that he can take into consideration what is at stake over these coming weeks in Ukraine," said Hollande, who met Merkel in her Stralsund constituency in northeastern Germany.

Merkel and Hollande called in a joint statement for a "national dialogue" between the Kiev government and representatives of all Ukrainian regions, which they said should be open to all who reject violence. Merkel said she'd like to see it start next week.

The European Union has imposed targeted sanctions on Russian officials but has held back so far on all-out economic sanctions, and Hollande stressed he hopes to avoid that escalation.

France has stuck to a 3-year-old deal to provide two warships to Russia, the first set for delivery in October. On Saturday, Hollande said that the contract "is being carried out ... for the moment it is not called into question."

French President Francois Hollande gestures during a news conference with German Chancellor Merkel at the town hall in Stralsund, northern Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2014 during the second day of Hollande's two days visit to Merkel's scenic home constituency on the Baltic coast . One of the main talking points is expected to be over whether the European Union should impose further sanctions on Russia, for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

French President Francois Hollande gestures during a news conference with German Chancellor Merkel at the town hall in Stralsund, northern Germany, Saturday, May 10, during the second day of Hollande's two days visit to Merkel's scenic home constituency on the Baltic coast. One of the main talking points is expected to be over whether the European Union should impose further sanctions on Russia, for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis. Associated Press

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