Russian President Vladimir Putin has met Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko for the first time since his election, at a D-Day event in France.
French officials said the two leaders, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, agreed to discuss a ceasefire.
The meeting came as fighting continued in east Ukraine, with government forces reportedly launching a tank attack near the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk.
Mr Putin denies involvement despite Russians fighting with the rebels.
The Ukrainian authorities have announced an “active phase” of what they call an anti-terrorist operation in and around Sloviansk, which was seized by pro-Russian militants several weeks ago.
Reporters near the town on Thursday, say it was clear Ukrainian forces had encircled it and moved in a lot of weaponry.
Separately, Ukrainian media reported that one member of the security forces had been killed and several wounded in a mortar attack outside the city.
Mrs Merkel, Mr Poroshenko and Mr Putin are said to have chatted for 15 minutes
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