Putin, Merkel discuss Ukraine, agree on future contacts in Normandy format - Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with members of the Central Election Commission at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 23, 2016. Sputnik/Kremlin/Michael Klimentyev via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the Ukraine crisis during a phone call on Thursday and agreed on the schedule of future contacts in the Normandy format, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Ukraine crisis was discussed within the framework of "reactivating work for a full implementation of the Minsk (ceasefire) agreements", the Kremlin said.