Russia, Ukraine agree to continue ceasefire talks

The announcement came after a meeting at the Elysee Palace of the so-called Normandy Format. There was four-way conversation between representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France, which has been trying to mediate peace in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

Tensions between Moscow and Kiev are at the highest level in years, with a large Russian body collected near the common borders of the two former Soviet republics, boosting fears that Russia could launch an invasion.

Speaking after Wednesday's meeting, Moscow chief negotiator Dmitry Kozak said the ceasefire should be respected “without conditions”, but that many other issues in eastern Ukraine remain unresolved, CNN writes.

Western officials are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to tensions through full implementation of Minsk's agreements, a ceasefire protocol signed by Ukraine and Russia in 2015.

“We agreed that despite the various differences of Minsk agreements that exist between Ukraine and the Donnetsk and Luhansk regions, the ceasefire in Donbas must be respected unconditionally,” said Kozak.

He added that “decipher” to implement such agreements “is with Ukraine's armed forces and the armed formations of (Eastern separatists) of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic”.

Ukrainian negotiator Andriy Yermak said all sides were in favour of a permanent ceasefire, and Ukraine was willing to negotiate all the time to prevent the war and descale tensions over the border.

And I can tell you that Ukraine is usually ready to negotiate, to meet 24-7. Because for us, for President (Ukrainian) (Voldymyr) Zelensky, for the whole team, the goal of stopping the war, the outcome of the war, and the return of our territories, and today that includes also easing de-progressional tensions around the Ukrainian border, is the priority,” said Yermak.

Kozak and Yermak said the talks would resume after about two weeks in Berlin.