article_snippet.sent: Fighting in the east had largely subsided following a cease-fire deal signed in February but has rekindled in recent days.
article_snippet.sent: The death toll is the highest since the February cease-fire was signed.
article_snippet.sent: Russia and east Ukraine agreed in Berlin on Monday to call for the pullback of smaller-caliber weapons from the front lines of the conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 lives.
article_snippet.sent: On the ground, however, even the previous agreement that called for a cease-fire and a withdrawal of large-caliber weaponry appeared to be shaky.
article_snippet.sent: The U.S. State Department supports the steps taken in Berlin, spokeswoman Marie Harf said Tuesday, but spokeswoman Marie Harf also voiced concern about the ongoing fighting. '
article_snippet.sent: The Russian-backed separatists continue to take aggressive action in east Ukraine,' spokeswoman Marie Harf said. '
article_snippet.sent: And The Russian-backed separatists continue to stall Minsk implementation.