Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a telephone conversation have agreed to continue contacts, including in the Normandy format, on the release of hostages, the work of the Joint Center on Control and Coordination (JCCC), the possible deployment of the peacekeeping mission in Donbas.

"Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel have agreed to continue to maintain contacts on all the above-mentioned issues, including in the Normandy format," the presidential press service said after the conversation.

In particular, the parties discussed the state of the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, noting the need to consolidate the ceasefire.

A special emphasis was placed on the need to release the detained persons.

"Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel exchanged views on the issues related to the resumption of the efficient work of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination in Donbas and the possibility of the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission to certain areas of the Donbas and Luhansk regions," the press service said.

In addition, the leaders of two countries discussed further interaction in the implementation of the program of reforms in Ukraine.