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The leaders of Russia, Germany and Ukraine have held telephone talks discussing the situation in southeastern Ukraine (Donbas) and the role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in ensuring that the Minsk ceasefire agreements are fulfilled, Sputnik reported.

"The issues pertaining to the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weaponry by the conflicting sides, as well as the situation in the region of the city of Debaltsevo were touched upon [during the telephone talks]," the Kremlin press service informed early Tuesday night.

According to the press service, Russian President Vladimir Putin, his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also exchanged their views on the role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in the Ukraine peace process.

On Monday, self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) deputy commander Eduard Basurin announced that DPR militia was unable to ensure the safety of OSCE monitors working near Debaltsevo because of indiscriminate fire by Kiev troops.

Also, Putin, his Ukrainian counterpart and Merkel have agreed to maintain contact in various formats in order for the Minsk agreements on Ukraine to be implemented.

"It has been agreed to continue to maintain contact with the aim of contributing to the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements," the Kremlin press service said.