Germany invites Russia, Ukraine, France for talks on Ukraine crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited representatives from Ukraine, Russia and France for another round of talks on the Ukraine crisis on Friday in Berlin.
The government spokesman Steffen Seibert said late Monday that the implementation of the Minsk ceasefire was to be discussed at a high official level.
The invitation was extended by Merkel during a telephone call with the presidents of the three countries, according to the (dpa).
The leaders discussed progress that has been made in the quest for a peaceful resolution of the months-long conflict in eastern Ukraine.
They agreed that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should play a stronger role in observing the ceasefire and the withdrawal of weapons. They have asked OSCE to publish a daily report on developments, Seibert indicated.
The leaders in addition emphasized the urgency of the prisoner exchange and the carrying out of humanitarian aid. As soon as possible, the working groups set out in the Minsk agreement are to pursue additional tasks of preparing for local elections in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.