US - EU Diplomacy:- Victoria Nuland gaffe: Angela Merkel calls EU insult "totally unacceptable".

Germany's Angela Merkel has said a US official's apparent insult of the EU's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis is "totally unacceptable".

Victoria Nuland has apologised after she referred disparagingly to the EU's role during a conversation said to be with the US ambassador to Ukraine.

A recording of the exchange was posted online, with the US hinting at Russia's involvement in bugging and leaking it.

The EU and US are involved in talks to end months of unrest in Ukraine.

In Kiev, Ms Nuland - an assistant secretary of state - said she would not make a public statement on the matter.

She described the leak as "pretty impressive tradecraft. [The] audio quality was very good".

The state department said she had apologised in private to EU officials.

Note EU-Digest:  diplomats like Ms Victoria Nuland .who can't control what they say should not be working in the Diplomatic Service of their countries. .

Read more: BBC News - Victoria Nuland gaffe: Angela Merkel condemns EU insult