Chancellor Angela Merkel and President François Hollande have once again spoken by telephone with President Poroshenko. They all agreed that a ceasefire for both sides was a precondition for stabilising the situation. Ukraine and Russia will also have to act together to secure the border.
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Russia in particular is called on to use its influence over the separatists. President Petro Poroshenko stressed his determination to push ahead with the implementation of his peace plan once a ceasefire is in place. For as long as hostilities persist, the Ukrainian side will do all it can to prevent civilian casualties.
On Thursday evening Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in Ukraine by telephone with President Barack Obama. They both underlined the importance of a swift ceasefire respected by both sides. They also stressed that Russia in particular must do its bit and influence separatists in eastern Ukraine. The chance to achieve a ceasefire on all sides must not be allowed to pass unused.
Previously, in a telephone conversation Angela Merkel, François Hollande and President Vladimir Putin had called for a meeting of the contact group with representatives of the separatists at short notice. At the meeting of the contact group, a ceasefire must be brokered between the Ukrainian government and the separatists. All three also welcomed the meeting of four foreign ministers last Wednesday in Berlin.
The contact group consists of representatives of the Ukrainian government, the Russian government and the OSCE.
On Wednesday, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with his counterparts from France, Russia and Ukraine in Berlin. Russia and Ukraine agreed on steps to defuse the situation in eastern Ukraine, reported Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the meeting.
"Today we have succeeded in reaching an agreement on a package of measures, which together can point the way towards a lasting ceasefire on both sides," he said. However, he continued, more steps need to be taken before a ceasefire can be achieved.
The contact groups is to meet by Saturday to start negotiations on a permanent ceasefire. It was also agreed that efforts are to be made to bring about the speedy release of all hostages, said the Federal Foreign Minister.
Russia has declared itself willing to accept joint border controls with Ukrainian border officials once the ceasefire is in force. A joint statement stipulated that the OSCE is to be responsible for monitoring the ceasefire.
"We will not let up in our efforts to find diplomatic solutions," declared Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Berlin. Angela Merkel made clear how dissatisfied she is with developments.
It is "very regrettable" that the ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Ukrainian President was not accepted by the separatists. In ten days there has been "no significant response" to the peace plan.
Angela Merkel said she regrets that cooperation between NATO and Russia is extremely limited against the backdrop of the conflict. She said that she understands the concern of some eastern NATO member states, which feel threatened in view of the current situation. NATO must, she added, look in detail at how to ensure security for these partners.
When asked about EU sanctions, the Chancellor stressed that she could not rule out the possibility of "having to take further steps". She said this has been discussed in the European Council with the Ukrainian President. No decisions have yet been taken, she added.
Over the last few weeks Angela Merkel has spoken many time on the telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Germany will continue its efforts to help bring about a ceasefire in Ukraine and a political solution to the conflict. "We still have a long way to go before we are where we would like to be," said the Chancellor.