AKIPRESS.COM - The German foreign minister is visiting Ukraine to start talks between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian insurgents following declarations of independence by two eastern regions.

Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in the embattled country Tuesday to support a “national dialogue,” part of a plan laid out by the laid out by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region declared independence Monday and is asking Moscow to consider letting it become part of Russia.

The pro-Russian leader of the eastern region of Luhansk also declared region's independence.