The U.S. has accused pro-Russian separatists of land grabbing in eastern Ukraine, even as foreign ministers from Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany called for an immediate cessation to hostilities after talks in Berlin on the escalating situation.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the developments in eastern Ukraine an act of blatant land grab which contravenes the Minsk agreement, according media reports. He was reacting to reports that indicated pro-Russian separatists to have extended their area of control, violating ceasefire agreements.
Kerry is reported to have indicated the intensified fighting as alarming and was concerned over efforts by separatists to take control of major points in eastern Ukraine. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., also has accused Russia of escalating the current fighting with intent at military occupation.
Ukraine has accused Russia of involvement in eastern parts of the country where fierce fighting is on, with the more than 9,000 Russian troops fighting alongside the separatists. Ukraine also said over 500 tanks, heavy artillery and armored vehicles were involved in the fighting east, with some heavy fighting reported in the vicinity of Donetsk airport.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier indicated the meeting in Berlin saw some possibilities of deescalation if both sides agreed to have their heavy weapons brought back about 15 kilometers from the demarcated line as per the Minsk agreement.
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