Ukraine, Russia Agree to Urge Weapons Withdrawal in Donbass

German FM Steinmeier (C) speaks to journalists after a meeting of foreign ministers to examine the implementation of the Minsk peace accords at Villa Borsig, the official guest house of the foreign ministry, in Berlin, Germany, early April 14, 2015.

Moscow and Kiev representatives have agreed to demand the continued withdrawal of weapons in Eastern Ukraine in a new multilateral meeting aimed at winding down tensions.

During talks in Berlin attended by Foreign Ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, the parties struck a deal to include in their demands mortars, tanks and heavy weapons below the 100mm calibre, according to reports cited by BBC World News.

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is quoted as saying that during the talks "the differences of opinion between Kiev and Moscow also became clear once again."

Earlier, Steinmeier called on both Russia and Ukraine to move forward with the implementation of earlier agreement to put an end to the conflict.

After the talks all four ministers voiced their concern at the newest escalation in the Donbass, where the region around the Donetsk Airport has become again a scene of fighting.

The latest four-way meeting comes two months after the accord reached in Minsk, Belarus, to take numerous steps to end hostilities in the Donbass.

Reports suggest a truce is being largely observed, albeit with occasional violations.

The UN says more than 6000 people have lost their lives in the conflict between Kiev forces and pro-Russian rebels.

Ukraine accuses Russia of fomenting unrest in the Donbass, a claim Russia denies saying it is not a party to the conflict but promising to help sides observe the Minsk accord. 

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