Shelling flares up in east Ukraine ahead of Trump's call to Kiev

Bullets are seen at a position of Ukrainian servicemen on the front line near the government-held industrial town of Avdiyivka, Ukraine February 4, 2017. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

WASHINGTON/KIEV (Reuters) - U.S President Donald Trump said he was willing to work with both Kiev and Moscow to resolve a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, following a telephone call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday.

The call was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the inauguration of Trump, whose aim to improve relations with the Kremlin has alarmed Kiev while the nearly three-year-old conflict remains unresolved.