KIEV (Sputnik) – According to the statement, Poroshenko and Merkel discussed the situation in southeastern Ukraine, noting "a significant escalation."
"The Ukrainian president and the German chancellor coordinated their positions on the eve of the meeting on the level of the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Germany, France and the Russian Federation."
The ministerial meeting is to take place on Tuesday in Paris.
The previous Normandy format session was held in Paris on June 10.
In February, leaders of the Normandy Four group hammered out an agreement on Ukrainian reconciliation. The deal stipulated a ceasefire — in place in eastern Ukraine since February 15 — as well as a number of other measures aimed at stopping the military confrontation between Kiev forces and independence supporters.
Despite the truce, the Donbass region has seen an upsurge in violence in the past few weeks. The recent escalation has led to dozens of deaths since the start of June.
