GERMAN Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew to Ukraine today to try to broker a quick launch of talks between the Kiev government and pro-Russia separatists. 

Pro-Russia activists in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions that form the nation’s industrial heartland have seized government buildings, clashed with government forces and captured a number of hostages during the past month. 

Mr Steinmeier voiced hope for a quick release of the hostages and a handover of occupied government buildings, stressing the importance of holding Ukraine’s presidential vote as planned on May 25.

His trip is part of the road map for settling Ukraine’s crisis laid out by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 

Russia, which is an OSCE member, has welcomed its efforts to mediate.

But Russia’s Foreign Ministry attacked Kiev’s reluctance to talk with separatist activists yesterday, saying “it posed a serious obstacle on the path of de-escalation.” 

Russia urged the US and the EU to persuade Kiev to prioritise discussions on more powers to Ukraine’s regions ahead of the May 25 presidential vote.

The separatists held a referendum on Sunday and about 90 per cent in Donetsk and Luhansk backed regional independence. 

The two regions declared independence on Monday and Donetsk activists called for unity with Russia.

The Luhansk activists said they wouldn’t hold the presidential vote.

The OSCE plan presented on Monday by Swiss President Didier Burkhalter called on all sides to avoid violence and urged amnesty for those involved in the unrest, plus talks on decentralisation and the status of the Russian language.

Meanwhile, Kiev-appointed Donetsk governor Serhiy Taruta urged parliament to authorise a referendum on June 15 that could help the regions gain more powers while remaining part of Ukraine.

Mr Taruta said everyone in Ukraine, including those in the rebellious east, “should hear answers to the questions they are concerned about.”

He said key issues included devolving powers to local authorities and creating municipal police forces.

Unidentified assailants yesterday fired at a car carrying Luhansk separatist leader Valery Bolotov. 

Mr Bolotov was hospitalised with wounds but they were said not to be life-threatening.