Putin talks with Germany, Ukraine about truce

Source: AP-EXCITE

MOSCOW (AP) — The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France agreed Wednesday that a mechanism needs to be set up to oversee the cease-fire in Ukraine that has been repeatedly interrupted by fighting, and monitor the securing of its border with Russia.

The four leaders also agreed in a telephone call that hostages held in eastern Ukraine should be freed without delay, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert said.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been held in Ukraine for weeks.

Seibert didn't say how a cease-fire oversight mechanism might work but said talks between Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE should continue.

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Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140625/eu-ukraine-f9472c0e53.html

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Ukrainian army soldiers speak at a check-point near a city of Slovyansk, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine Tuesday, June 24, 2014. The weeklong cease-fire declared by the Ukrainian president should be extended and accompanied by talks between the government and the rebels, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)