13/05/2014 10:02
Ukraine crisis: Germany launches fresh diplomatic bid
Germany's foreign minister is due to arrive in Kiev amid fresh attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, the BBC reported.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier could also visit the east of the country where pro-Russian activists held referendums on self-rule on Sunday, reports say.
Earlier, a separatist leader called on Russia to "absorb" the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
Kiev, the US and EU say the referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk were illegal.
Russia has called for the results of Sunday's vote to be "implemented."
Meanwhile, armed separatists remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine.
Mr Steinmeier, who attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, reiterated that he considers the referendums illegal, adding: "We cannot, and must not, take it seriously."
His spokesman, Martin Schaefer, said Tuesday's trip was to support a national "round table" under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE).
The OSCE later issued a statement saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was "supportive" of its roadmap to defuse the crisis in Ukraine.
Mr Steinmeier has engaged in months of diplomacy over the crisis while German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held repeated phone calls with President Putin.