German Chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Der Spiegel has reported, citing its own sources in the German government.
"Merkel considers it inappropriate to hold consultations with the Russian leader, given the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine," the report says.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that Putin had a phone conversation with Merkel on Sunday at the initiative of the German side.
"The leaders discussed preparations for negotiations as part of the upcoming Asia-Europe forum (ASEM) to be held in Milan on October 16-17," reads the statement.
As reported, on Sunday, a number of non-governmental organizations called on the German government to give up its participation in consultations with Putin.