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Ukraine crisis: Hollande and Merkel set for Putin talks Ukraine crisis: Hollande and Merkel set for Putin talks
(35 minutes later)
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are due to hold talks in Moscow to try to end escalating fighting in east Ukraine.French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are due to hold talks in Moscow to try to end escalating fighting in east Ukraine.
Ahead of their talks, the US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of "continuing to escalate the conflict" and "ignoring every agreement".Ahead of their talks, the US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of "continuing to escalate the conflict" and "ignoring every agreement".
A temporary truce has reportedly begun to allow civilians to leave Debaltseve, at the heart of the current fighting.A temporary truce has reportedly begun to allow civilians to leave Debaltseve, at the heart of the current fighting.
Moscow is accused of arming pro-Russian separatists - a claim it denies.Moscow is accused of arming pro-Russian separatists - a claim it denies.
Russia also rejects claims by Ukraine and the West that its regular troops are fighting alongside the rebels in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.Russia also rejects claims by Ukraine and the West that its regular troops are fighting alongside the rebels in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Clashes have left nearly 5,400 people dead since April, the UN says.Clashes have left nearly 5,400 people dead since April, the UN says.
A September ceasefire, signed in Minsk in Belarus, has failed to stop the violence. Since then the rebels have seized more ground, raising alarm in Kiev and among Ukraine's backers.A September ceasefire, signed in Minsk in Belarus, has failed to stop the violence. Since then the rebels have seized more ground, raising alarm in Kiev and among Ukraine's backers.
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, KievAnalysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev
This may not be the last attempt to try to find a peaceful solution to the hostilities in eastern Ukraine, but there is a sense that the door is closing fast.This may not be the last attempt to try to find a peaceful solution to the hostilities in eastern Ukraine, but there is a sense that the door is closing fast.
On Thursday German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the West must see if there was still a chance to reach a negotiated settlement, before there was "complete loss of control" over the conflict. France's President Francois Hollande has said diplomacy cannot "go on indefinitely."On Thursday German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the West must see if there was still a chance to reach a negotiated settlement, before there was "complete loss of control" over the conflict. France's President Francois Hollande has said diplomacy cannot "go on indefinitely."
That Angela Merkel is travelling to Moscow can be seen as a positive sign - the German chancellor said she wouldn't meet with Vladimir Putin without the concrete prospect of progress. That Angela Merkel is travelling to Moscow can be seen as a positive sign - the German chancellor said she wouldn't meet Vladimir Putin without the concrete prospect of progress.
But the roadblocks to a final peace - or even a lasting ceasefire - are formidable and many. Not least is the low level of trust among Ukrainian and Western officials for any promises coming from the Kremlin.But the roadblocks to a final peace - or even a lasting ceasefire - are formidable and many. Not least is the low level of trust among Ukrainian and Western officials for any promises coming from the Kremlin.
Mr Putin may be sincere in his peace proposals; or, many in Kiev and other capitals feel, he may just be buying time.Mr Putin may be sincere in his peace proposals; or, many in Kiev and other capitals feel, he may just be buying time.
Why is east Ukraine hit by conflict?Why is east Ukraine hit by conflict?
Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel are taking a peace proposal crafted in Kiev to Moscow, but the details have not been released.Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel are taking a peace proposal crafted in Kiev to Moscow, but the details have not been released.
Before he left, Mr Hollande said the goal of his visit was not just a ceasefire, but a "comprehensive agreement" - though Mrs Merkel said it was "totally open" whether that could be achieved.Before he left, Mr Hollande said the goal of his visit was not just a ceasefire, but a "comprehensive agreement" - though Mrs Merkel said it was "totally open" whether that could be achieved.
Mr Biden ramped up the pressure on Moscow in comments from Brussels, where he is meeting top EU officials.Mr Biden ramped up the pressure on Moscow in comments from Brussels, where he is meeting top EU officials.
He accused Mr Putin of continuing "to call for new peace plans as his tanks roll through the Ukrainian countryside".He accused Mr Putin of continuing "to call for new peace plans as his tanks roll through the Ukrainian countryside".
He said Russia could "not be allowed to redraw the map of Europe".He said Russia could "not be allowed to redraw the map of Europe".
Ukraine is also set to dominate an annual multi-lateral security conference in Munich.Ukraine is also set to dominate an annual multi-lateral security conference in Munich.
ConvoysConvoys
The fighting has intensified in recent weeks after a rebel offensive, and a temporary truce was declared in Debaltseve on Friday, where Ukrainian forces are fighting to hold the town against surrounding rebels.The fighting has intensified in recent weeks after a rebel offensive, and a temporary truce was declared in Debaltseve on Friday, where Ukrainian forces are fighting to hold the town against surrounding rebels.
Convoys of buses were seen heading to the town on Friday to evacuate civilians who have been forced to shelter underground from the bombing.Convoys of buses were seen heading to the town on Friday to evacuate civilians who have been forced to shelter underground from the bombing.
They were escorted by monitors from the OSCE security watchdog, reported Reuters news agency.They were escorted by monitors from the OSCE security watchdog, reported Reuters news agency.
Washington is considering Ukrainian pleas for better weaponry to fend off the rebels, raising European fears of an escalation in the conflict and spurring the latest peace bid.Washington is considering Ukrainian pleas for better weaponry to fend off the rebels, raising European fears of an escalation in the conflict and spurring the latest peace bid.
Mr Holland and Mrs Merkel are due to meet Mr Putin in Moscow at about 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT).Mr Holland and Mrs Merkel are due to meet Mr Putin in Moscow at about 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT).
On Thursday, the two leaders examined the plan with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, without releasing any details.On Thursday, the two leaders examined the plan with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, without releasing any details.
Major questions any plan would have to address include the route of any new ceasefire line - given the rebel advances of recent weeks - how to enforce it, and the future status of the conflict zone, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow.Major questions any plan would have to address include the route of any new ceasefire line - given the rebel advances of recent weeks - how to enforce it, and the future status of the conflict zone, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow.
Moscow says it is ready for "constructive dialogue" - though still denying any direct role in the conflict - while Kiev insists above all that Ukraine must remain united, our correspondent says.Moscow says it is ready for "constructive dialogue" - though still denying any direct role in the conflict - while Kiev insists above all that Ukraine must remain united, our correspondent says.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin tweeted late on Thursday: "Good mtg of Normandy Troika. Minsk agts [agreements]- roadmap to peace&territorial integrity of Ukraine. Specific steps 2 ensure implementation discussed."Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin tweeted late on Thursday: "Good mtg of Normandy Troika. Minsk agts [agreements]- roadmap to peace&territorial integrity of Ukraine. Specific steps 2 ensure implementation discussed."
A spokesman for the Kremlin said Mr Putin would discuss "the fastest possible end to the civil war in south-eastern Ukraine".A spokesman for the Kremlin said Mr Putin would discuss "the fastest possible end to the civil war in south-eastern Ukraine".
Some 1.2 million Ukrainians have fled their homes since last April, when the rebels seized a big swathe of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions following Russia's annexation of Crimea.Some 1.2 million Ukrainians have fled their homes since last April, when the rebels seized a big swathe of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by events? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by events? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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