Obama and Merkel believe that Russia should be brought to justice

US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed that Russia should be held accountable for its actions in Ukraine.

This statement was made against the background of the European Union's consideration of new measures to increase pressure on Moscow in order to convince it to change its course.

The White House said that on Tuesday, the leaders of the two countries discussed developments in Ukraine, but did not go into the details of their telephone conversation.

“Both leaders expressed concern about the significant increase in violence in the east of Ukraine and the material support of the separatists, which Russia provides, as well as its non-fulfillment of the commitments made in accordance with the Minsk agreements,” the White House said. “They agreed that Russia should be held accountable for its actions.”

“They also agreed that it is important to agree on a solid package of financial support for Ukraine to enable it to stabilize the economy, while it continues to carry out reforms that lay the foundation for a return to economic growth and prosperity,” the report says.

The Obama-Merkel conversation took place against the backdrop of the EU foreign ministers considering certain “appropriate measures” in connection with the situation, which they view as intensifying Russian intervention in eastern Ukraine on the side of pro-Russian separatists.

Earlier on Tuesday, leaders of the European Union countries called for the adoption of "appropriate measures" against Russia, expressing outrage at the rocket attack on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which led to civilian casualties.

“In view of the deterioration of the situation, we urge the participants of the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council to assess the state of affairs and consider any appropriate measures, especially restrictive measures, that would be aimed at the rapid and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the non-traditional joint statement reads. 28 Heads of State and Government of EU Member States.

The foreign ministers of the European Union countries that are members of the Foreign Affairs Council will consider the possibility of adopting new sanctions against Moscow at their meeting on Thursday.

According to the testimony of the Ukrainian authorities, as a result of a missile strike over the weekend, about 30 civilians were killed in Mariupol, and many others were injured.

In a joint statement, EU leaders stressed that they were condemning the missile attack, and expressed concern about the “deteriorating situation” in eastern Ukraine.

“We note that there is evidence of continued and growing separatist support from Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility for what is happening,” the EU leaders stressed.

They called on Moscow to condemn the separatists operating in the east of Ukraine, and to implement the Minsk agreements.

The heads of state and government of the EU countries intend to consider and approve the recommendations of their ministers regarding Russia at their summit, which is scheduled in Brussels on February 12, writes Voice of America.