German Chancellor Angela
Merkel on Tuesday phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko to agree "concrete" steps for
the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OCSE)
to enable its observers to monitor a widely breached ceasefire
in eastern Ukraine.
Fierce fighting was reported Tuesday inside the key
Ukrainian town of Debaltseve despite a ceasefire deal agreed
last week, which went into effect at midnight Saturday.
Rebels say they have taken most of Debaltseve, a transport
hub, but the government says it is still in control.
OSCE observers tasked with monitoring the ceasefire have
been unable to enter the town.
Earlier, both sides failed to begin withdrawing heavy
weapons, despite a Monday deadline agreed in the truce.
The two sides were given until two days after the latest
ceasefire came into effect to start the pullout.
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