Updated

Germany's foreign minister is urging the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists to respect the cease-fire agreement.

The continuing military conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 4,000 people and displaced a million, according to the U.N. The Sept. 5 accords froze the position of front lines between the sides although heavy artillery fire is still killing civilians and combatants daily.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is shuttling between Kiev and Moscow on Tuesday in a bid to ease the tensions, told reporters in Kiev that both sides should stick to the Minsk accords however "imperfect" they are.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday accused Russia of undermining peace across Europe, warning that regional conflicts like in eastern Ukraine could cause disturbances in other post-Soviet countries.