REUTERS

"Of course, we discussed our commitment to meet our shared security challenges, from countering cyber threats to ensuring that Iran continues to live up to the terms of the Iran nuclear deal. I commended Angela for her leadership along with President Hollande in working to resolve the conflict in Ukraine," Obama said, according to a video posted on the White House website.

Read alsoBloomberg: Obama's sound advice for the European Union"We continued to stand with the people of Ukraine and for the basic principle that nations have a right to determine their own destiny, and we discussed the importance of maintaining sanctions until Russia fully complies with the Minsk agreement," said the outgoing U.S. president.