Merkel and Obama will discuss Ukraine and Russia

US President Barack Obama will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington 9 in February, the Associated Press reported, citing a White House report.

Obama and Merkel will discuss the situation in Ukraine. Last week, they expressed concern over the increase in violence in this country, where pro-Russian separatists launched a series of offensive actions.

According to Obama aides, to which the agency refers, the leaders of the United States and Germany agreed that Russia should be responsible for supporting the separatists and refusing to fulfill the terms of the peace agreements.

The talks in Washington will also focus on countering terrorism, threats from the Islamic State, the situation in Afghanistan and relations with Iran.

They will discuss issues of economic growth, trade, climate and the forthcoming German chairmanship of G7, writes BBC News.