Russian President Vladmir Putin has responded to the Berlin truck attack, which killed 12 people and injured 48 more.

"This crime against peaceful civilians is shocking in its savage cynicism," Mr Putin wrote to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, according to a statement on the Kremlin's website.

A Pakistani refugee, named as 'Naved B', was arrested in connection with Monday evening's attack, when an articulated lorry drive into a Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church.

Merkel on Berlin attack: 'We must assume it was terrorism'

Ms Merkel herself said she was "shocked, shaken and deeply saddened" by the attack and told reporters it would be "particularly sickening" if it turns out the attacker was an asylum-seeker who sought refuge in Germany.

Tributes also poured in from around the world.

Boris Johnson, British Foreign Secretary, wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts & condolences are with the people of Germany following tonight's terrible tragedy in Berlin, leaving so many dead & injured."

And the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the awful suspected attack on Berlin last night, particularly those who were injured, the families and friends of those who were killed and all the emergency responders.

"All Londoners stand in solidarity with the people of Berlin today - this was an attack on our shared values, freedoms and way of life."

President Barack Obama spoke with Ms Merkel on the phone about the attack.

Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Show all 18 1 /18 Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Several people have been killed after a lorry drove into crowds at a Christmas market in Berlin REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch Berlin Christmas market lorry attack 'At least nine' people have been killed and more than 50 injured. AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Emergency Services rush a Berlin market victim to an ambulance Associated Press Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Police cordoned off the square at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church following the incident REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Rescue workers inspect the lorry that crashed into a Christmas market close to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin EPA Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Emergency crews inspect the lorry that ploughed into a Berlin Christmas market, killing at least nine people AFP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Fire crews attend the scene of the attack AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Armed police secure the site of a lorry attack at a Christmas market in Berlin REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Crushed debris is visible beneath the wheels of the vehicle REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack An injured man is pushed to an ambulance REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Medics attend an injured person after the lorry attack which killed at least nine and injured more than 50 people AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters examine the lorry which was rammed into a Berlin Christmas market REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack A person is carried into an ambulance REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack View of the lorry that crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing at least nine and injuring at least 50 people AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Rescue workers push a person on a stretcher to an ambulance Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters assess the damage after the lorry rammed the Christmas market, killing 'at least nine', and injuring more than 50 people AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters stand beside a toppled Christmas tree at the site of the suspected terrorist attack in a Berlin Christmas market AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Damaged stalls at the scene of the incident at a Berlin Christmas market where at least nine people have been killed EPA

According to Ms Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert: "President Obama assured the German Chancellor that the United States would support Germany in the investigation."

A White House statement released on Monday night by the National Security council said the United States " condemns in the strongest terms what appears to have been a terrorist attack on a Christmas Market".

The statement continued: "We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those killed, just as we wish a speedy recovery to all of those wounded.

"We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Germany."

Berlin attack: Suspect arrested by German police

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump sent a message from his Florida residence about condemning the attack and blaming jihadi militant group Isis.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims of today’s horrifying terror attack in Berlin," Mr Trump said. "Innocent civilians were murdered in the streets as they prepared to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

"ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad. These terrorists and their regional and worldwide networks must be eradicated from the face of the earth, a mission we will carry out with all freedom-loving partners.”

French President Francois Hollande, whose country also suffered a truck attack in Nice earlier in the year, said: "The French share the mourning of the Germans who are facing this tragedy, which hits all Europe."