(ANSA-AP) - BERLIN, 12 APR - German Chancellor Angela Merkel
has praised the "very close relations" her country has built
with Ukraine over recent years as she welcomed beleaguered
President Petro Poroshenko to Berlin shortly before Ukrainian
voters decide on their next leader.
Polls show Poroshenko trailing by a wide margin ahead of the
April 21 runoff against comic actor and political novice
Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Germany and France, which have led
diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia
in recent years, are following the election closely.
French President Emmanuel Macron was set to meet Friday with
both contenders, while Merkel received only Poroshenko. At a
joint news conference in Berlin, Merkel deflected a question
about impressions that she favors Poroshenko. She said that she
is in "permanent contact" with the incumbent. (ANSA-AP).
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