France, Germany to work for successful Ukraine election, Steinmeier

France and Germany are to work together for the success of the 25 May presidential election in Ukraine, German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced after attending a French cabinet meeting.

German Foreign Affairs Minster Franz-Walter Steinmeier (L), France's Laurent Fabius (C.) and President François Hollande (R) in Paris on Wednesday Reuters/Alain Jocard/Pool

Steinmeier was the first ever German foreign minister to attend a meeting of the French government - a sign of the importance both countries accord to developments in Ukraine.

After the meeting he said both countries a “democratic outcome” to the current political crisis, which has seen the government in Kiev being overthrown and Russian-speakers vote to break away from the country.

Steinmeier arrived in Paris from the Ukrainian capital, where officials are preparing to launch a round-table discussion on national unity mediated by the former German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger.

He stressed the importance of caution if the dialogue is to succeed:

"It's difficult to set up a national dialogue in Ukraine,” he told journalists. “But it's necessary in order to reconcile the different groups and to bring an end to the violence.”

But he insisted there were some encouraging signs.

“For example, violence that flared in Odessa in recent days has calmed, and the situation there is normal. I have no doubt that the presidential election can be carried out successfully.”

Ischinger, has a good track record in crisis management, including helping to resolve conflict in Kosovo, Steinmeier said.

“He has the support of two former presidents of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma, who will co-chair the discussions,” the German foreign minister pointed out. “Each of them come from different regions of the country and can leverage their networks. I hope that creates the necessary conditions for national dialogue."

Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport on Wednesday praised France for sticking to its agreement to build two warships for the Russian navy despite opposition from the United States.

It also stressed that Paris would be required to pay heavy penalties if the deal were cancelled.

During a visit to Washington earlier in the week French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius said the contract for two Mistral helicopter carriers could not be scrapped, although he hinted that the situation could be reviewed if sanctions against Russia over Ukraine are tightened.