I am glad that Presidents Poroshenko and Putin spoke at length in Minsk yesterday about the crisis in eastern Ukraine.

Only when the two sides directly discuss all the problems and open issues, prepared to work together with mutual respect to resolve the conflict, will it be possible to stop tensions escalating and find ways towards political settlement.

The keys to political settlement are a bilateral ceasefire and effective control of the shared border. Talks on these matters therefore need to be continued without delay, aiming for agreement on concrete measures and a plan that can be put into effect quickly.

We are doing what we can to ensure that the newly resumed talks do not break off.