German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier believes it is necessary to continue implementing the Minsk agreements and to move on to the next phase, the withdrawal of heavy weaponry.

"[The parties] must continue efforts for Minsk 2 to roll out onto the next phase, heavy weaponry withdrawal," he wrote on Twitter.

He also expressed his concern about the situation in Debaltseve. "[We] need security guarantees for OSCE observers to verify the ceasefire," the Minister wrote.

He also expressed hope that the UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine would be adopted as soon as possible, which would help to stabilize the situation.