German FM Demands Restoration of Ceasefire in Donbass Amid Escalation

Berlin is concerned by the recent military escalation in eastern Ukraine and believes every effort should be made to re-establish the ceasefire, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday.

BERLIN (Sputnik) – Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Defense Minister Vladimir Kononov said on Wednesday that Kiev forces had begun shelling along the entire line of contact in eastern Ukraine. Independence supporters reported over 21 casualties after the shelling.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian General Staff admitted using heavy artillery prohibited by the Minsk agreements.

“We are deeply concerned. We must take every effort to restore the ceasefire in Ukraine,” Steinmeier told reporters.

European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said Thursday that the escalation of the conflict had led to a rapid re-deployment of a large number of heavy artillery back to the line of contact.