Russian President Vladimir Putin is to discuss a peace plan for eastern Ukraine in a phone call with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine later.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are leading diplomatic efforts to halt the bloody conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people since April.
There are also fears of a growing humanitarian crisis in the country.
At a security conference in Munich on Saturday, Mrs Merkel said the bid to end the fighting was "uncertain but worth trying", while Mr Hollande also warned it was "one of the last chances for peace".
The plan is understood to centre on a failed peace deal agreed in Minsk last September.
However, territorial gains made by pro-Russian rebels since then raises doubts over whether they will respect the pact in its existing form.
Mr Hollande said the agreement could include a demilitarised zone and greater autonomy for the separatist eastern region.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, also in Munich, said there were "good grounds for optimism" that the talks could secure a deal.
The diplomatic push comes against an escalation in violence between the separatists and Ukrainian forces in the east of the country.
In the latest fighting, the Ukrainian military said the pro-Russian separatists had increased shelling of government forces and appeared to be amassing for new offensives on the key railway town of Debaltseve and the coastal city of Mariupol.
However, Mrs Merkel has rejected sending arms to Kiev, which is being considered by US President Barack Obama.
Arguing this would not help end the crisis, she said: "I understand the debate but I believe that more weapons will not lead to the progress Ukraine needs. I really doubt that."
But her stance has led to a sharp rebuke from hawks in Washington, who have accused Berlin of turning its back on an ally.
Republican US Senator John McCain said: "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."
NATO's top military commander has also said sending weapons should not be ruled out.
US Air Force General Philip Breedlove told reporters at the Munich conference: "I don't think we should preclude out of hand the possibility of the military option."
US Vice President Joe Biden has backed the Franco-German peace bid but made clear the White House stood ready to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself.
He told the Munich summit: "Too many times President Putin has promised peace and delivered tanks, troops and weapons."
Addressing the conference, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko brandished several passports taken from Russian soldiers in what he claimed was proof of Moscow's "presence" in his country.
Russia has consistently denied backing the rebels.
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