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Merkel urges Putin to back swift solution to Ukraine gas row


    BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Friday to support a quick solution to Moscow's gas row with Ukraine before winter sets in, her office said in a statement.

    Moscow and Kiev have agreed on a new price for Russian gas, but they are still at odds over the volumes to be supplied and the level of Ukraine's debt for previous supplies.

    Ukraine holds a parliamentary election on the weekend, while separatists in the east have said they will hold a rival vote on Nov. 2. "The chancellor stressed, municipal elections in the east must be held in accordance with Ukrainian law," her office added.

    (Reporting by Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Noah Barkin)