The President spoke with German Chancellor Merkel today about the ongoing violence in eastern Ukraine and the ceasefire scheduled to begin at midnight tonight. The President and Chancellor Merkel are particularly concerned about the intense fighting in and around Debaltseve. They also agreed on the pressing need for all signatories to implement the cease fire and protocol agreements reached at Minsk last September and reaffirmed by the Minsk Implementation Plan this week. The President thanked the Chancellor for her tireless efforts to bring the conflict in eastern Ukraine to an end in manner that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and unity.