Foreign ministers expand Ukraine weapon withdrawal; condemn renewed fighting

BERLIN, April 14 (UPI) -- Foreign ministers from Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia have urged for the end of renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine's Donbass region following negotiations.

While in Berlin, the ministers discussed and reportedly agreed to the committed withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front lines as well as an extension of the type of weapons being withdrawn.

German Foreign, Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told reporters that the talks were "at times very controversial."

"What is decisive is that in light of the worsening situation, we agreed today not only to continue with the withdrawal of heavy weapons but also to include other categories of weapons in the withdrawal," Steinmeier said. "Now, tanks, armored vehicles, mortars and heavy weapons below a 100 millimeter caliber will be included in the withdrawal commitment."

Reports indicate that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and six were injured on Monday in Donbass. The symbolic Donetsk Airport has come under renewed fighting.

More than 6,000 people have died in the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels, according to the United Nations.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said the country would preserve its commitment to the ceasefire signed in February.

"We will try to provide a real ceasefire against the background of the tragic events that took place over the past few days," Klimkin said. "I clearly told my colleagues that this is not a real ceasefire."

Representatives of the Representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Joint Center for Control and Coordination and Journalists were also under fire in Donbass. There was shelling for about half an hour, but no one was reportedly injured. There was a separate report of a journalist suffering serious injures after detonating a tripwire.