Russia, Germany discuss `need to extend Ukraine ceasefire`

Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday discussed the necessity of extending Ukraine`s one-week ceasefire, the foreign ministry in Moscow said.

"During an exchange of opinions over the development of the situation in Ukraine the need has been discussed to extend the truce and halt fighting with a view to launching direct dialogue between the warring sides with the assistance of the OSCE," the foreign ministry said after the phone talks.

The ceasefire announced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is set to expire on Friday but clashes have continued despite rebels also agreeing to stop firing their weapons.