MOSCOW, March 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for constitutional reform in Ukraine in order to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of its people.

Putin stated this in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, March 31. He called the chancellor to discuss “various aspects of the situation in Ukraine, including possible international assistance to restoration of stability in the country”, the presidential press service said.

Speaking about ways to settle the conflict in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria, he said effective measures should be taken to lift the blockade and search for a fair and comprehensive solution to the problem.

Putin and Merkel agreed to continue close contacts at different levels, the Kremlin press service says.