The leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine over the phone on Thursday, according to a statement by the French presidential office.

French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the violation of the ceasefire and the fighting near Marioupol, Chtchastia, Donetsk Airport and Chirokino zone should stop.

The leaders agreed on the essential role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in improving the application of the ceasefire and verifying the withdrawal of heavy weapons.

They also reviewed the implementation of all measures mentioned in the package adopted in Minsk on Feb. 12 this year.

The leaders agreed that the contact group's four workgroups on security, political issues, economic and reconstruction issues and refugees should meet in the coming days.

This will mark the beginning of the political phase of implementation of the Minsk agreement, the statement said. Endit

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