U.S., Germany discuss ways to support Ukraine amid escalation from Russian side

Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Ned Price said this in a statement following a call between the U.S. secretary of state and the German foreign minister on April 9, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine against unilateral Russian provocations along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, in occupied Crimea, and along Ukraine’s borders," the Department of State noted.

The parties also stressed the need for Russia to immediately cease its military buildup and inflammatory rhetoric.

In addition, the secretary and the foreign minister discussed China and Afghanistan.

As Ukrinform reported, the United States, other Western countries, as well as the EU and NATO, have come out in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity against the background of Russia's escalation in eastern Ukraine, as well as the pulling of Russian troops to the Ukrainian border.

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