The Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France agreed on a series of steps they hope will bring another cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.  Fighting between government forces and pro-Moscow separatists increased since a ten-day cease-fire declared by Kiev expired on Monday.

The escalation in violence prompted Germany’s Walter Steinmeier to call the meeting in Berlin, before the situation went completely out of control.  After today’s session, Steinmeier said the talks produced a “package of measures” that paves the way for a bilateral ceasefire.  Foremost is the decision to hold three-way talks that includes the pro-Russian rebels “no later than 5 July”.

“We propose to achieve this through a meeting soon of the Contact Group, which – we hope – will hold a meeting in coming days and agree on the conditions for truce that would satisfy all sides,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.  The Contact Group represents Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Russia also agreed that Ukrainian border guards and OSCE representatives get access to Russian territory in order to take part in controlling two border crossings, once the cease-fire resumes.  The OSCE would also monitor the cease-fire.

Fighting in Ukraine’s east has taken more than 400 lives since April.