Merkel takes Ukraine peace plan to Obama
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama on Monday amid reports of a rift over Ukraine.
As well as discussing a way forward in Ukraine, the pair are likely to discuss a range of other issues including counter-terrorism and trade.
As the crisis in Ukraine intensifies, America says it will stand with Europe but recent talks exposed divisions.
Mrs Merkel has ruled out sending weapons to help Ukraine's military.
The Ukrainian government is locked in a conflict with Russian-backed rebels which has claimed more than 5,300 lives and driven 1.5 million people from their homes.
There is pressure on President Obama to adopt a tougher stance, with some officials in Washington, as well as senior Republicans such as Senator John McCain, arguing that some form of military support is necessary, the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan reports from the US capital.
Angela Merkel is said to be holding out hope for a diplomatic solution.
Her trip to Washington comes days before she attends a summit in Minsk with the leaders of France, Russia and Ukraine.
She and French President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to revive the Minsk peace plan which collapsed amid fighting over the winter.
The detailed proposals have not been released but the plan is thought to include a demilitarised zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front line.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry denied any rift with EU leaders, saying, "I keep hearing people trying to create one. We are united, we are working closely together."
US National Security Council spokesman Mark Stroh said Mr Obama was "looking forward to his discussions with Chancellor Merkel on Monday, particularly on Ukraine and particularly in light of her recent trips with President Hollande, to Ukraine and Russia".
"The President values the Chancellor's judgement, and appreciates her strong efforts in marshalling European support and maintaining Transatlantic unity throughout the Ukraine crisis," the spokesman said in a statement to the BBC.
"She has been tireless in her pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and the President anticipates a useful and informative discussion about this and other issues."
Credit: The BBC
