"The talks focused on the Ukrainian crisis," French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said, Ukraine Today reports.
"The meeting of the Council of Ministers was shortened because President Hollande needed to hold the phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Angela Merkel," said Le Foll.
Read alsoWSJ: NATO to tread fine line on Russia following summitOn July 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande stressed the need to intensify negotiations in various formats to implement the Minsk agreements. This was discussed by three leaders during their telephone conversation.
Putin drew attention to "provocative actions of Ukrainian troops in the south-east of the country."
"In this regard, Russia's president urged his counterparts to more actively influence the Ukrainian party," the Kremlin press-service reported.
