“The leaders discussed a number of international issues, including the current situation on the Ukrainian border.

They agreed on the importance of engaging with Russia to de-escalate the situation and prevent further aggression, ”the British government’s website said in a statement.

On December 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Scholz, during which the leaders discussed Kiev's implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Putin also discussed the situation in Ukraine during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.