Ceasefire agreed between Ukraine and rebels

shutterstock.com

A CEASEFIRE has been announced between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country.

Both parties took to Twitter and other social media sites to break the news of the agreement, which is set to come into effect at 5pm, Spanish time.

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, who is currently in attendance at a Nato summit in Cardiff, Wales, said of the ceasefire: “Human life is the highest value and we must do everything possible and impossible to end the bloodshed and the suffering.”

Representatives for the Ukraine have held talks with the rebels in the Belorussian capital of Minsk. It is believed that the Ukrainian government will want to see the complete withdrawal of the pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country, as well as a restoration of the original borders between Russia and Ukraine.  

The announcement of the ceasefire has done nothing to ease military action in the region. From Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, Sky News’ Katie Stallard reported that shelling had continued in the area in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.

“There is very little confidence among people here on the ground in a ceasefire,” she said.

“People on the checkpoints on the city limits today say that every single previous ceasefire, they have still been fired upon.

“They fully expect that to happen again after whatever is announced today.”

The Russian government, for its part, has put full support behind the agreement, and has stated that they hope the ceasefire remains in place. 

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments