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Ukraine conflict: Merkel takes peace plan to Obama Ukraine conflict: US 'may supply arms to Ukraine'
(about 9 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to brief US President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday on a peace plan to end fighting in eastern Ukraine. President Barack Obama says the US is studying the option of supplying lethal defensive arms to Ukraine if diplomacy fails to end the crisis in the east.
Germany and France have tried to reach a deal with Ukraine and Russia amid renewed fighting between the pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian government troops. Russia had violated "every commitment" made in the failing Minsk agreement, he added, after talks with the German chancellor on a new peace deal.
The Washington talks come as the US considers sending weapons to Ukraine's troops - a move Mrs Merkel opposes. Mr Obama has come under pressure from senior US officials to supply arms, despite objections from Angela Merkel.
Russia denies accusations of sending troops and supplying the rebels.Russia denies accusations of sending troops and supplying the rebels.
The Ukrainian government is locked in a conflict with Russian-backed rebels which has claimed more than 5,300 lives and driven 1.5 million people from their homes. The latest diplomatic efforts come amid renewed fighting between the pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian government troops, with fighting centred around the strategic railway hub of Debaltseve.
There is pressure in Washington on President Obama to adopt a tougher stance, the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan reports from the US capital. The rebels said on Monday they had cut off a key supply road to the town, which is near the rebel-held city of Donetsk, but the military says the battle is ongoing.
Some officials, as well as senior Republicans such as Senator John McCain, argue that some form of military support is necessary, our correspondent adds. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is considering the peace proposals, earlier blamed the West for the crisis.
Mrs Merkel told a security conference at the weekend that she could not "imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily". The fresh push for talks is aimed at ending a crisis that has already claimed more than 5,300 lives and displaced 1.5 million people from their homes.
Mrs Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to revive the Minsk peace plan which collapsed amid fighting over the winter. Mrs Merkel met the US president in Washington on Monday to update him on German-Franco plans to restart peace talks.
She has made it clear that she opposes providing lethal arms to the Ukraine government, telling a security conference at the weekend that she did not believe more weapons could "lead to the progress Ukraine needs".
Mrs Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to revive the Minsk peace plan, which collapsed amid fighting over the winter.
The detailed proposals have not been released but the plan is thought to include a demilitarised zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front line.The detailed proposals have not been released but the plan is thought to include a demilitarised zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front line.
Ukrainian government officials say nine soldiers and at least seven civilians have been killed in fighting over the last 24 hours.
'Broken pledges'
EU foreign ministers in Brussels agreed on Monday to impose further sanctions against Russian and rebel officials, but have put them on hold for a week to give the peace efforts a chance.
Mr Putin earlier said Western countries had broken pledges not to expand Nato and forced countries to choose between them or Russia, leading to the current crisis in Ukraine.
In comments to an Egyptian newspaper, Mr Putin accused Western states of supporting a "coup d'etat in Kiev" - a reference to the ousting of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych last year.
He lost power amid protests over his decision to scrap a deal that would have seen Ukraine establish closer ties with the European Union.
Since then, Russia has annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and rebels in the east have sought to establish full control over the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Germany's peace efforts were sharply criticised by senior US Republicans who attended an international security conference in Munich over the weekend.Germany's peace efforts were sharply criticised by senior US Republicans who attended an international security conference in Munich over the weekend.
Senator Lyndsey Graham, who attended with Senator John McCain, said: "At the end of the day, to our European friends, this is not working. You can go to Moscow until you turn blue in the face. Stand up to what is clearly a lie and a danger."Senator Lyndsey Graham, who attended with Senator John McCain, said: "At the end of the day, to our European friends, this is not working. You can go to Moscow until you turn blue in the face. Stand up to what is clearly a lie and a danger."
Mr McCain said: "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."Mr McCain said: "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry denied any rift with EU leaders, saying, "I keep hearing people trying to create one. We are united, we are working closely together." US Secretary of State John Kerry has denied any rift with EU leaders, stating that they remained "united" and were "working closely together".
US National Security Council spokesman Mark Stroh said Mr Obama was "looking forward to his discussions with Chancellor Merkel on Monday, particularly on Ukraine and particularly in light of her recent trips with President Hollande, to Ukraine and Russia". President Obama "values the chancellor's judgement, and appreciates her strong efforts in marshalling European support and maintaining transatlantic unity throughout the Ukraine crisis," US National Security Council spokesman Mark Stroh told the BBC on Monday.
"The president values the chancellor's judgement, and appreciates her strong efforts in marshalling European support and maintaining Transatlantic unity throughout the Ukraine crisis," the spokesman said in a statement to the BBC.
"She has been tireless in her pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and the President anticipates a useful and informative discussion about this and other issues."
Ukraine's war: The human cost
Source: Figures from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 3 February, and UN report, 21 January
Why has violence flared in eastern Ukraine?
What was the Minsk agreement?What was the Minsk agreement?
Why violence is surgingWhy violence is surging
Are you in Eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by recent events? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by recent events? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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