Ukrainian, Russian officials to meet in Berlin as Germany warns conflict could escalate
8/17/2014BERLIN — The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia are meeting in Berlin on Sunday to resume diplomatic talks on a political solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
The meeting between Pavlo Klimkin of Ukraine and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov will also be attended by their German and French counterparts Frank-Walter-Steinmeier and Laurent Fabius.
Steinmeier said in a statement Sunday that the search for a political solution mustn’t be neglected even as efforts are made to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the rebel-held cities of Luhansk and Donetsk.
He says a “new political impulse is needed” or there will be a risk of further escalation.
Steinmeier says the focus will be on a timetable for a durable cease-fire and effective controls along Ukraine’s border with Russia.