The Trilateral Contact Group under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), with representatives of Russia, pro-Russian separatists and Ukraine agreed in Minsk on Wednesday (29 March) on a cessation of hostilities in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine, to come into effect on 1 April.

"We expressly recognise the efforts of this OSCE-led body to improve the security situation on the ground," reiterated government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Friday in the government press conference in Berlin.

Lasting implementation of Minsk agreements

The public commitment made by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to this cessation of hostilities and the Minsk agreements is a "welcome signal" continued the government spokesperson. The German government hopes that the Russian-supported separatists will also support this appeal.

"We call on all sides involved in the conflict to follow this renewed commitment to the cessation of hostilities – which was agreed back in 2015 – so that it can become a genuine, lasting ceasefire," said Steffen Seibert.

Numerous victims since 2014

Since the conflict began in eastern Ukraine in 2014 it has claimed almost 10,000 lives. According to United Nations figures this includes more than 2,000 civilians; more than 23,000 people have been wounded.

In view of the numbers of victims, Steffen Seibert explained on behalf of the German government, "That really is another reason to call on all parties involved in the conflict to respect the cessation of hostilities and withdraw heavy weapons from the demarcation line."