Ukraine's government and separatist rebels have failed to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line, despite a Monday deadline.
The two sides were given until two days after the latest truce came into effect to start the pullout.
The government said it would not pull back until fighting ended in the beleaguered town of Debaltseve.
The leaders of Germany, Ukraine and Russia discussed the crisis in an overnight phone call.
Germany said on Tuesday they had agreed "concrete measures" for observers to have greater access, but gave no details.
Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), who are charged with monitoring the ceasefire, have been trying to reach Debaltseve after being denied access by the rebels on Sunday.
"The German chancellor and Ukrainian president called on the Russian president to exercise his influence on the separatists to enforce the ceasefire," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said.
"Further, the withdrawal of heavy weapons should be started on Tuesday, as agreed in Minsk."
The ceasefire which came into effect on Sunday has been broadly observed, however separatists insist that the agreement does not apply in Debaltseve - a key transport hub - because they have the town surrounded.
Artillery strikes were reported overnight and on Tuesday morning around Debaltseve. Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh said separatists had continued to attack government positions.
Rebels have offered Ukrainian troops encircled there a safe corridor to leave.
The Ukrainian military command said pro-Russian rebels had fired on government positions 112 times on Sunday, mostly around Debaltseve.
A Ukrainian officer said there was also fighting near the southern port city of Mariupol. The rebels accused Ukrainian forces of shelling Donetsk airport.
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