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A Ukrainian soldier patrols Sunday near Debaltseve, Ukraine. (Evgeniy Maloletka, The Associated Press)

MUNICH A peace proposal for Ukraine edged toward a possible breakthrough as the leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed Sunday to a joint summit alongside representatives of the pro-Russia separatists who have waged a bloody campaign in the Ukrainian east.

The four leaders agreed to the proposed summit scheduled for Wednesday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus during a four-way phone call Sunday.

The success of the summit, though, still appeared to hinge on further diplomatic talks Monday in Berlin, aimed at laying the groundwork for a "comprehensive settlement" of the crisis in Ukraine, where fighting has steadily worsened.

The German government announced the summit plans on the heels of whirlwind visits last week to Moscow and Kiev, Ukraine, by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Franois Hollande. The two leaders have launched a high-stakes diplomatic push to end an escalation of the fighting and to resolve a growing standoff between the West and Russia.

European and U.S. governments have accused Russia of subterfuge for denying its involvement in Ukraine even as the governments cite conclusive intelligence indicating that Russian weapons and disguised troops are fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Yet diplomats cautioned that stumbling blocks remain, including the issue of whether recent land gains made by separatists would be recognized as part of a cease-fire agreement.

And there is skepticism that Russia and the separatists would adhere to a deal. A previous accord reached in September which aimed to create a demilitarized zone and deliver more autonomy for the rebel-held lands was routinely violated before largely breaking down in recent weeks.

"Even after this weekend of intense negotiations, we are far away from a political solution of the Ukraine conflict," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in remarks on the last day of a major security summit in Munich.

Speaking in the Russian resort town of Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a qualified confirmation of the summit plans. He said the meeting would go ahead "if, by then, we have agreed upon a number of positions that were a subject of our intense discussions recently."

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Ukraine peace talks edge toward possible breakthrough