Poroshenko, Merkel discuss Russian aggression in Kerch Strait

A meeting between the two leaders took place in Brussels on Thursday, the head of state's press service reported.

"Ahead of a meeting of the European Council, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel," the report says.

It notes that the president expressed gratitude for the efforts made by Germany to end Russia's blockade of the waters of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, as well as for special attention paid by the federal chancellor to the issue of the liberation of Ukrainian sailors and the guarantee of freedom of navigation in the region.

"The head of state urged the EU countries to respond properly to an act of Russian aggression in the waters of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait and targeted impediment to freedom of navigation through the introduction of the so-called 'Azov package of sanctions'," the report says.

Poroshenko is on a working visit to Brussels on December 12-13 to attend a meeting of the European Council.