Merkel dampens hopes for Ukraine ceasefire deal in Moscow talks

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (C) gestures to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande during their talks in Kiev February 5, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was unclear whether she and French President Francois Hollande would achieve a breakthrough with Russian President Vladimir Putin in talks later on Friday aimed at resolving the crisis in Ukraine.

"It is totally open as to whether we will, with these talks, succeed in achieving a ceasefire, we don't know if that will be achieved today, if, perhaps further talks will be needed," Merkel said at a news conference with the Iraqi prime minister in Berlin before departing for Moscow.