Russia, EU Powers Agree to Intensify Eastern Ukraine Peace Bid

  • Germany, France welcome Easter cease-fire in disputed region
  • Joint statement cites need to speed up Minsk implementation

A soldier walks in trenches at Alexandrovka, the place where Donetsk forces stopped advance of Ukrainian army into the city. 

Photographer: Martin Trabalik/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine said they’ll examine ways to speed up progress on a peace plan for eastern Ukraine and end a conflict that triggered sanctions against Russia.

Government leaders of the four countries welcomed an Easter cease-fire taking effect Friday and called for international observers to be allowed to verify it, according to joint statements published in Paris and Berlin on Thursday.