The Minsk peace agreement on Ukraine could be the last chance to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

"The Minsk agreement package, as I have already reiterated, is perhaps not ideal, but is most likely the only – if not last – chance to de-escalate tension [in Ukraine]," he told reporters after talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on March 11.

The parties to the conflict should further be pressed for a complete ceasefire and transition to the next stage of the peace process in accordance with the Minsk agreements, he said.

This was one of the subjects of a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov en route to Washington, Steinmeier added.

The United States and Germany have a common stand on the withdrawal of heavy weapons by all parties to the Ukraine conflict under the Minsk agreements, Kerry said in turn.

"We all have still some outstanding questions regarding that process – all of us, including Germany. We all insist that the withdrawal of heavy weapons needs to take place on both parts," Kerry said after a meeting with Steinmeier.

"And we all insist that it is critical that Russia cease its support for violations of the integrity of Ukraine and its sovereignty. And it is vital to the ability to be able to guarantee a Europe that is whole and peaceful and free to be able to make certain that this Minsk agreement is, in fact, implemented," he said.