Steinmeier says Ukrainian crisis has not yet been overcome

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said today before his trip to Kiev that the crisis in the east of Ukraine has not yet been put to an end.

"The crisis in the east of Ukraine has not yet been put to an end. The constant breaches of the ceasefire raise the danger of renewed military escalation, which would annihilate all our efforts to alleviate the situation. The ceasefire is not a panacea, but without a long-term and secure ceasefire the Minsk agreements will not be realized as quickly, precisely and on such a large scale, as will be necessary in the very near future," the diplomat noted.

"It is crucial days and weeks for Ukraine, which is struggling to find a way to a politically and economically stable future that can provide specific prospects to people in the country," RIA Novosti cited him as saying.

Kiev needs to show "strong political will" to implement the reforms, Steinmeier said.