DHAKA: The leaders of Germany and France launched a new diplomatic initiative over Ukraine on Thursday, announcing they would fly together to Kiev and Moscow with a proposal to resolve the conflict that could be ‘acceptable to all’.

The coordinated trip by German chancellor Angela Merkel and France president Francois Hollande comes as rebels steadily advance on a railway hub held by Ukrainian troops after launching an offensive that scuppered a five-month-old ceasefire.

Washington has begun openly talking of arming Ukraine for the first time. US Secretary of State John Kerry also flew to Kiev on Thursday, although he had no plans to go to Moscow.

His likely cabinet colleague, defence secretary nominee Ashton Carter, told lawmakers on Wednesday that he favoured arming Ukraine’s forces.

Peace talks collapsed on Saturday in Belarus, EU leaders are expected to consider punishing new economic sanctions against Moscow next week, and Germany hosts world leaders at a security conference over the weekend at which Ukraine is expected to be the main subject, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2142 HRS, FEB 05, 2015

** Kerry to hold key talks in Ukraine