BERLIN, Oct. 12 - Germany played down prospects of a summit with France and Russia on Ukraine taking place soon, after the three countries' leaders discussed the crisis there on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said further work was needed by advisers before any meeting was possible.

A decision about holding a meeting was not taken during Wednesday's three-way telephone call. "The participants agreed that progress on both security issues and political issues would be necessary," Steffen Seibert said in a statement.