CRI听力:Russia and Germany FM Meet to Shore up Ukraine Ceasefire Agreement

The German government is calling for the re-establishment of a ceasefire between Ukrainian government troops and separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has made the call while meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow.

"We have to be more concrete and work further on the so-called disengagement, the draft of a disengagement programme which is close to being completed. And we have to be very clear, that the required signatures of the armed forces from both sides are given."

A two-month-old cease-fire, while official on-paper, has not been holding.

Both sides have been trying to extend gains, as the so-called Minsk protocol has failed to produce a clear line of division.

For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is calling for the creation of direct talks between the government and the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

"The main task now is to continue sustainable direct dialogue between Kiev and Donetsk and Luhansk, especially in the context of elections held in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian territory controlled by Donetsk and Luhansk representatives."

Ukrainian authorities allege Russia has been backing the separatist forces with both troops and weapons.

Moscow has consistently denied the allegation.