Russia: Talks On Ukraine Crisis 'Constructive'

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Work is under way on a proposal to end the crisis in Ukraine following "constructive" talks with the leaders of Germany and France, Russia has said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held late-night talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande in Moscow on Friday in what was widely seen as a last-ditch attempt to thrash out a deal to end fighting which has claimed the lives of more than 5,300 people.

Clashes between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces in the east of the country have escalated in recent weeks, despite a peace deal agreed in Minsk last September.

The West accuses Russia of sending troops and weapons across the border although Moscow has consistently denied backing the rebels.

Despite no major breakthrough in negotiations, a Kremlin spokesman said Friday's talks were "substantial and constructive".

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Gallery: Civilians Flee Besieged Ukrainian Town

A member of the Ukrainian armed forces assists local residents onto a bus to flee fighting in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine

Two dozen buses escorted civilians out of the town after separatist rebels and government forces agreed a brief truce to allow civilians to be evacuated. Click through for more images ...

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"At the moment joint work is under way on preparing the text of a possible joint document on implementation of the Minsk agreements - a document which would include proposals made by the president of Ukraine and proposals formulated today and added by Russian President Putin," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Mrs Merkel and Mr Hollande went to Moscow with a peace proposal discussed during a separate meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko a day earlier.

Mr Peskov said they would discuss the proposal further during a phone conversation with Mr Putin on Sunday.

He indicated Mr Poroshenko would also take part.

Asked at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday whether he thought the peace proposal could work, Mr Poroshenko replied: "Yes."

The talks came as rebels and Ukrainian troops briefly halted fighting in the embattled eastern town of Debaltseve to allow the evacuation of civilians.

Both sides sent convoys of buses into the town to rescue residents who have been trapped without power, heat or running water for two weeks.

Rebel forces have encircled the town and are engaged in a violent battle for control with government troops.

Debaltseve is a key railway hub between the two main rebel-controlled cities of Donetsk and Luhansk which are facing a major humanitarian crisis.

Fears that the conflict is spiralling out of control have prompted the US to consider supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, an option opposed by European nations.

Speaking in Brussels US Vice President Joe Biden said Ukraine was fighting for survival in the face of growing Russian military involvement.

"We, the US and Europe as a whole, have to stand with Ukraine at this moment," Mr Biden said.

"Russia cannot be allowed to redraw the map of Europe."

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon warned, however, that providing additional weapons could escalate the conflict.

His comments, at the start of a security conference in Munich, were echoed by Germany's defence minister Ursula von der Leyen.

"Are we sure that we would be improving the situation for the people in Ukraine by delivering weapons?" Mrs Von der Leyen asked the conference.

"Are we really sure that Ukraine can win against the Russian military machine?" she added.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is set to meet Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the conference this weekend.

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