The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France are expected to meet in Astana in late January, the Kazakh presidential press service has reported.

"The meeting is expected to take place in late January," the report says.

The date of the meeting was discussed by the presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine in a phone conversation, the report says.

Nazarbayev and Poroshenko discussed the current situation in Ukraine and issues relating to bilateral cooperation.

"Petro Poroshenko confirmed his adherence to holding a top-level meeting in Astana. He also said the foreign ministers of the 'Normandy four' countries and the contact group on the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where a draft document will be prepared for discussion in the Kazakh capital, will take place in the nearest future," the press service has reported.

The phone conversation was held on Ukraine's initiative.