Poroshenko, Merkel coordinate preparations for European Council meeting

"The interlocutors coordinated preparations for the European Council to be held in Brussels in December. The parties also agreed to continue the Ukrainian-German consultations to resolve the situation," the press service of the head of state reported.

The president informed of the brutal act of aggression against Ukraine in the waters of the Kerch Strait and the actions of Ukraine in response, including the introduction of the martial law. Poroshenko underlined the unacceptability of Russia's aggressive actions and called on the international community to intensify pressure on Russia for the immediate release of Ukrainian sailors and ships.

In turn, Merkel expressed concern about the escalation of Russian aggression with the use of weapons and said that she would do everything for de-escalation.

Earlier on Monday, the Ukrainian president held telephone conversations with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

On November 25, Russian ships opened fire on three Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait and then seized them. Two Ukrainian boats Berdiansk and Nikopol were struck by enemy fire and lost their course. The Yanu Kapu tugboat was also forced to stop. At least six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.

President Petro Poroshenko held a War Cabinet due to extraordinary events in the Azov Sea. Ukraine asked for a meeting of the UN Security Council to be urgently convened.

At a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on Monday, President Petro Poroshenko supported the proposal of the War Cabinet to introduce martial law, submit it for consideration by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) and forward it to the Verkhovna Rada.

ish