US, Germany support 'sustainable' truce in Ukraine

The leaders of the US and Germany have voiced support for a "sustainable" ceasefire in eastern Ukraine through diplomatic means, and threatened additional sanctions should Russia fail to take immediate deescalation steps.

In a phone conversation Thursday, US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel "expressed their support for diplomatic efforts to pursue a sustainable ceasefire" that would be fully supported by Russia and respected by the insurgents, Xinhua reported citing a White House statement.

It said the leaders urged Russia to take "immediate steps" to de-escalate the conflict in eastern Ukraine, or face additional costs through "coordinated measures" by the US and Europe.

In a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko Thursday, US Vice President Joseph Biden also stressed that the US "remained focused on Russia's actions, not its words".

Poroshenko Tuesday ended a 10-day truce and the Ukrainian military resumed its offensive in the states of Donetsk and Lugansk by launching air raids on rebel targets.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned Wednesday that reviving peace talks would be "much more difficult" with Kiev's decision not to extend the truce.

He wrote on his Facebook page that Poroshenko "made a dramatic mistake" in ending the ceasefire.

The Obama administration Wednesday voiced support for Poroshenko's move, blaming the armed militants for not observing the truce.