Germany urges Russia to influence Donbas militants – media

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has told Russia to exert its influence on separatists in eastern Ukraine to withdraw their weapons from the frontline, German diplomatic sources said after the minister met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to Reuters.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UAA1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sources said on Thursday Gabriel had demanded Russia do what it can to ensure the implementation of an agreement to withdraw weapons on the front line in places with heavy fighting, agreed on Wednesday by the Minsk contact group, as reported by Reuters.

Read alsoExperts on policies of Germany’s new FM: no changes regarding Ukraine as long as Merkel plays first fiddle"That is essential to strengthen the ceasefire .. which is far too fragile," German diplomatic sources said after talks between Gabriel and Lavrov in Bonn where G20 foreign ministers are meeting.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UAA2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!