German chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian president-elect Petro Poroshenko gave a joint statement ahead of their meeting in Berlin on Thursday evening.

The meeting comes two days before Poroshenko will be inaugurated as President in Ukraine.

Merkel confirmed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be protected.

Poroshenko thanked Germany for its support during the crisis with Russia. He added with Ukrainians electing him as president they had shown their desire to be part of the EU.

After Poroshenko’s visit to Berlin, he will go to Paris to meet with President Francois Hollande. On Friday he will take part in the D-Day commemorations.

Hollande has said he wants to help ensure a meeting on Friday between Putin and  Poroshenko.

Earlier on Thursday, Merkel promised western powers would check “again and again” to make sure Russia was doing what it could to stabilise the situation. She also warned further sanctions would be used if Moscow did not comply.