MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. The situation around transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine was in the focus of a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Kremlin press service said on Monday.

"Putin drew attention to the fact that in view of forecasts of a cold winter, risks of Ukraine’s unsanctioned taking of Russian gas pumped to Europe under the existing contracts are increasing," the press service said.

The sides agreed to have "contacts between the European Commission, top officials of the Russian Energy Ministry and Gazprom" on that matter.

"The sides exchanged views on Ukraine-related issues and stressed the importance of further joint efforts towards the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, including with due account of the results of the Normandy Four summit held in Berlin on October 19," the press service said. "In this context, they expressed concern over ongoing violations of the ceasefire regime in Donbass."

Apart from that, the two leaders touched upon issues of the Syrian settlement and a number of aspects of bilateral relations.