The OSCE special observer mission presented a report on Thursday. It states that the freedom of movement of the mission is still being restricted by all parties. Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert pointed to this at the government press conference on Friday.

The mission has only been able to observe individual instances of heavy weapons being withdrawn to their positions. Over the last few days, however, there appear to be signs of a rethinking of the situation on the Ukrainian side, while no sufficient cooperation can be seen on the part of the separatists.

Observing the ceasefire

Steffen Seibert stressed how important it is for the German government, "that the ceasefire be respected and heavy weapons be withdrawn in a way that is verifiable". On the path towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015, the question of verification is vitally important. "For this, the parties to the conflict must also provide the OSCE with all the information they need, and they must ensure that the OSCE observers have complete freedom of movement."

To discuss this question a meeting of high-level civil servants from Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia and OSCE officials was organised on Friday 6 March at the Federal Foreign Office, reported the government spokesperson.

Telephone conversation with Petro Poroshenko

As Steffen Seibert reported, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by telephone on Thursday with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. They discussed the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, the status of the withdrawal of heavy weapons there, the strengthening of the OSCE and the launch of a political process.

Steffen Seibert also confirmed that the mother of the Ukrainian helicopter pilot Nadya Savshenko had approached Chancellor Angela Merkel with a request for support. "She will receive a response," confirmed Steffen Seibert. The German government will continue to work for a swift humanitarian solution, in other words for the release of Ms Savshenko.

Nadya Savshenko was arrested in June 2014 in Russia and accused of murder. She has been on hunger strike for several weeks.

Condolences for the victims of the mine disaster

The Chancellor extended her condolences to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for the victims of the mine explosion in the eastern Ukrainian town of Zasyadko. This is "a terrible disaster in a country that has already known hardship and suffering for some time". The Chancellor asked the President to express her sympathy to the families of the many victims.