Belarus, Merkel calls Putin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Russian President Vladimir Putin to ask him to intervene in Minsk to stop the “inhuman” exploitation of migrants on the border with Poland. Merkel “stressed that the exploitation of migrants by the Belarusian regime is inhumane and unacceptable” and asked Putin to “use his influence” on Lukashenko to put an end to this situation, spokesman Steffen Seibert said. Putin – the Kremlin specified – suggested to Merkel a commitment by the European Union, with “direct contacts” with Minsk on the issue. Putin and Merkel “expressed concern about the humanitarian consequences of the crisis”. Putin and Merkel have agreed to continue discussing the issue, Moscow points out.