KIEV, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held telephone talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over bilateral ties and the situation in eastern Ukraine, the presidential press service said Monday.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to continue peacekeeping efforts and contacts at the highest level in a bid to settle the conflict in Ukraine's east.

Poroshenko and Merkel also exchanged views on energy security.

Another topic of the conversation was the preparation for Merkel's planned visit to Ukraine, which is slated for early November.

Poroshenko and Merkel, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron are leaders of the Normandy Four diplomatic group, which was set up to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.