France, Germany "extremely concerned" about violence in eastern Ukraine

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday expressed "extremely concerned" about the security situation in eastern Ukraine where clashes continue between Ukrainian forces and militants.

Both leaders expressed their worries about the conflict in Ukraine especially along the line of contact between government forces and pro-independence militants.

In a joint statement released by French presidency office, Hollande and Merkel affirmed their determination to further energize the efforts to contribute to full implementation of the Minsk deal signed in 2015.

Despite the Minsk ceasefire agreement which demanded a complete cease of hostilities, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, prisoner exchanges and the restoration of the Ukrainian government control over the state border, sporadic clashes are still taking place.

The two European leaders voiced "strongly support" for the ceasefire deal. They hoped the agreement would lead to a lasting ceasefire deal in the region.

(APD)