(VOVworld) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have called for increased efforts to resume direct talks between Ukraine and armed rebels.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin

The two officials met in Rio de Janeiro while attending the World Cup 2014 and a handover ceremony appointing Russia to host the next FIFA World Cup in 2018. Both sides agreed that effective control of the Ukrainian-Russian border as well as a prisoner exchange would be important prerequisites towards the goal of a mutual cease-fire in Western Ukraine. Merkel and Putin reiterated the importance of the resumption of direct talks as Ukraine’s situation was getting worse.