German leader Merkel urges Russia to put more pressure on Ukrainian rebels to back cease-fire
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called during a visit to Moscow for Russia to do more to persuade separatists in eastern Ukraine to abide by a cease-fire that has been strained in recent weeks.
Speaking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a press conference, Merkel said the past week's creation of groups to negotiate a lasting settlement of the dispute provided a "glimmer of hope" but that progress was lacking elsewhere.
Ukraine says more than 8,000 people have died in the conflict that began in April 2014.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Merkel was the only prominent European leader to visit Russia over the weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany. On Sunday, she laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the walls of the Kremlin.