German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it's uncertain whether a flurry of diplomacy aimed at resolving the crisis in Ukraine will succeed.
There are no guarantees that any deal would stick, she says.
Speaking after two days of hastily arranged meetings in Kiev and Moscow, Merkel also bluntly underlined her opposition on Saturday to the idea of supplying lethal weapons to the Ukrainian government.
She offered no details of the proposals that have been thrashed out, which she plans to discuss in a phone call on Sunday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and French President Francois Hollande.
The urgent diplomacy comes as Western anxiety over the conflict grows and sanctions bite ever harder on Russia's economy.
More than 5300 people have been killed since fighting began in April, according to a UN tally, and the bloodshed has markedly increased over the past two weeks.
The resurgent fighting has prompted the US to consider giving lethal weapons to Ukraine, an option opposed by European nations.
Negotiators' aim is to draw up a possible joint document on implementing the much-violated September peace deal concluded in Minsk, Belarus.
"This conflict cannot be resolved by military means," Merkel said at the Munich Security Conference.
"It is all the more important now to set out substantial steps that serve to fill with life the Minsk agreement."
Merkel said of the talks "it is uncertain whether they will be successful but it is from my point of view and that of the French president in any case worth making this attempt".
"I am very cautious with guarantees," she said.
"The guarantee can only be keeping to what has been agreed ... but the answer can't be not to make any more agreements. Of course we have to try again and again, at least I think so."
The United States and other Western countries contend Russia has supplied troops and equipment to the separatists fighting Ukrainian government forces since April. Russia denies the claims.
Merkel said she is "very doubtful" about the wisdom of supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine.
"The problem is that I cannot imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily," she said.
"I have to put it that bluntly."
Merkel's speech was attended by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US Vice President Joe Biden. She planned to hold a three-way meeting with both on the sidelines.
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