BERLIN, July 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Talks between the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine to discuss the situation in Ukraine were held in a constructive manner, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Wednesday.

“I understood that all participants realized what responsibility we all carry on prevention of a greater danger in Ukraine,” Steinmeier said.

 An unconditional ceasefire in the south-east of Ukraine is not a goal in itself but a step towards peace talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with his German, French and Ukrainian colleagues.

He said the ministers had agreed a declaration on the resolution of the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine. “Today we managed to agree to a declaration in accordance with the instructions we received from our leaders, and I can say that their instructions were fulfilled,” Lavrov said.

He stressed that the absence of ceasefire in Ukraine was taking a heavy toll of human lives and it would be better to put it in place late than never.

Lavrov expressed hope that the international contact group on Ukraine would be able to meet shortly and welcomed the intention of Germany, France and Ukraine to support the decision of the Standing Committee of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to send observers to the Russian crossing points on the border with Ukraine.

“I hope our calls on the sides on the necessity to hold a meeting of the contact group as soon as possible and agree all other conditions of ceasefire will be heard,” Lavrov said.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should be used at border-crossing points at the Russian-Ukrainian border, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

“We consider the possibility of using OSCE observers at border checkpoints,” Steinmeier said.

Kiev hopes for effective border control with Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin noted.

Klimkin said the Ukrainian side hopes for “strengthening the effectiveness of border regime control between Russia and Ukraine.”

“We agreed to establish a reciprocal truce, the process will be controlled by the OSCE,” Klimkin said.

“All hostages need to be freed and control should be established on the border. These measures should lead to settlement. All sides should observe these terms,” he said.

Russia, French, German, Ukrainian FMs agree to return to talks of three-party contact group. 

 “Talks within the framework of a three-party Contact Group should be held by July 5,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said

“The talks have been constructive, all participants of the meeting realize what responsibility we bear,” he said.

The diplomat said “adherence to a truce” in eastern Ukraine was voiced at the talks.

“We welcome Russia’s decision to give Ukrainian border guards access to its checkpoints,” he said.