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Merkel talks with Yanukovich by telephone

BERLIN, February 20. /ITAR-TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone talk with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on Thursday urged him not to drag time searching for ways out of the crisis, a German government official said on Thursday.

Merkel believes a chance for a long-term settlement of the conflict is only in talks with quick and tangible results. The chancellor stated the European Union, Germany and other partners would support a dialogue between the government and the opposition, Steffen Seibert, a government spokesman, said.

The German government head advised the Ukrainian president to immediately accept the proposal, he said.

The chancellor strongly condemned the escalation of the conflict in the Ukrainian capital. Merkel believes all the sides must immediately stop violence, but the main responsibility (for settlement of the situation) lies with the country's leaders.