Moscow calls on militias in Ukraine to cease fire

The talks in Berlin ended with the coordination of the package of documents about the truce in the south-east of Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. The talks between the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France, Germany and Ukraine were constructive, said Steinmeier.

"I realized that all participants understand what responsibility we all bear to prevent further risks in Ukraine", he said. "I think together we will be able to move away from the escalation of the conflict," said Steinmeier.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who took part in the meeting, confirmed that the participants of the talks coordinated the declaration of truce in the Ukraine. "We have repeatedly urged and continue to urge all parties to conflict should sit down at the negotiating table. We call for this again in the declaration that we have coordinated with our colleagues from Germany, France and Ukraine," ITAR-TASS reports.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, in turn, noted that the agreement reached to resolve the crisis in Ukraine was a step in the right direction. "The agreement is the starting point, from which we can proceed further to our goal - de-escalation of the conflict."

Nevertheless, Lavrov stressed out that one would need to conduct talks with "all regions of Ukraine" afterwards, after the combat action is stopped.

"Unconditional cease-fire is very important, of course, but this is not the final goal," said the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, speaking after the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine, which took place in Berlin. "This is necessary, first of all, to save people, prevent more casualties and create conditions for serious negotiations involving all regions of Ukraine."

Lavrov stressed out that ceasefire regime can not be used to regroup forces. "If the truce is used solely to implement parts of the plan of the President of Ukraine, in respect of which we have expressed serious doubts, namely the parts, which suggests that the militias either lay down their arms or be destroyed, then I strongly reject this way," said the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov said that Moscow calls on militias to cease fire.

"By the way, a representative of the militia have already stated today that in response to these calls from Russia and the OSCE, they were ready for consultations on how to agree on the terms for the truce," said Lavrov.