France, Germany examine Russian support on Ukraine ceasefire

Paris, June 22 (IANS) While taking note of Russia's support to the Ukrainian unilateral ceasefire plan, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Sunday urged their Russian counterpart to do more to facilitate the negotiations.

During a phone conversation, the two leaders called on all parties in the conflict to cease hostilities and asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to further the resumption of negotiations, Xinhua reported.

Earlier this month, Hollande and Merkel brokered an ice-breaking meeting between Kiev and Moscow.

The two European leaders recalled the importance of ensuring full control of the Russian-Ukrainian border to prevent infiltration of weapons and gunmen.

President Putin Saturday supported Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's order to cease fire in the south-eastern parts of the country and his intention to seek a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

On Friday, Poroshenko announced a unilateral week-long ceasefire plan aiming at peacefully resolving the conflict in eastern regions.

Poroshenko called on the rebels to lay down weapons and start peace talks with the government in Kiev.