Germany’s Foreign Minister arrives in Kieve

Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has arrived in Kiev amid fresh attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis.

Pro-Russia activists in the east declared a separate state which wanted to join Russia after holding votes on self-rule on Sunday.

Earlier, a separatist leader called on Russia to absorb the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.

Kiev, the United States and European Union say the referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk were illegal.

Moscow took control of the Ukraine’s southern self declared republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum.

The Ukrainian government in Kiev fears a similar outcome in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of southern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, armed separatists remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine.