Merkel plays down expectations from new Ukraine talks in Berlin

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko gestures as he addresses The Future of Ukraine event in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos January 21, 2015. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she hoped a new round of talks with Ukraine and Russia in Berlin could help implement an elusive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine but warned against expecting too much, given another upsurge in the violence.

With pro-Moscow rebels intensifying their attacks and Kiev planning to boost its armed forces in response to what it called an increased Russian troop presence, Berlin urged a political solution, saying neither side could win by military means.