KIEV, Dec. 29 - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for the speedy convening of a new round of talks of the contact group on the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, reads a statement posted on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

"We support the efforts of the OSCE to bring together all participants of the contact group at the negotiating table as soon as possible. All parties are encouraged to constructively use their influence on the conflicting sides and thus make an important contribution to the stabilization of the situation," Steinmeier said.