Obama and Merkel : Russia must withdraw its irregular troops from Ukraine

Russia must make its irregular troops in eastern Ukraine lay down their arms and leave the occupied buildings. If this does not happen in the near future, the EU and the U.S. are ready to take further measures against Russia.

This was discussed in a telephone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to Press Secretary Office of the White House .

 " U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed with deep concern the situation in eastern Ukraine," the statement said.

"The President expressed his gratitude to the Government of Ukraine, which put forward constructive proposals to expand the local government and to protect the rights of all Ukrainians," said the White House.

"The leaders stressed that Russia must take immediate concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine , including through its impact on the irregulars in eastern Ukraine , in order to force them to lay down their weapons and leave the buildings they occupied," the report says.

"The President and the Chancellor agreed that the United States and Europe are ready to take further measures if the de-escalation does not happen in the near future,"  the report says.

" The leaders also announced their support for the presidential elections in Ukraine on 25 May," said the press office of the Secretary of the White House . -02D-