US insisted Ukraine should withdraw from Donetsk region at Sunday's talks: Report

File image of an apartment buildings damaged by Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region.

Credit: Reuters Photo

London: US peace negotiators insisted at Sunday's talks in Berlin that the Ukrainian side should agree to withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region, saying the matter of territory was a central issue for Russia, an official familiar with the matter said.

The source with direct knowledge of the talks said the territorial question remained unresolved on Monday and that the Ukrainian delegation responded on Sunday that further discussion was needed.