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Ukraine ceasefire: Russia not party, says Kremlin
September 3, 2014, 8:43 am

Putin with Heads of State of the Customs Union with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko (4th from right) and representatives of the European Union on 26 August 2014 [PPIO]

Putin with Heads of State of the Customs Union with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko (4th from right) and representatives of the European Union on 26 August 2014 [PPIO]

In a major breakthrough, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday agreed on a permanent ceasefire in the Donbass area of east Ukraine, the Ukrainian leader’s press office reports. Poroshenko had earlier on Wednesday discussed the crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin reacted to news of the ceasefire by saying the agreement was not discussed with Putin.

“Putin and Poroshenko did not agree on ceasefire in Ukraine as Russia not party in conflict, but discussed how to resolve the conflict,” said a Kremlin statement.

“The phone call resulted in an agreement on a permanent ceasefire in Donbass. An understanding has been reached on the steps to be taken to end the hostilities,” a corresponding message from Poroshenko’s office said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the opinions of Putin and Poroshenko on the crisis “coincide”.

“The discussion concerning the military and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine was continued. The heads of states exchanged their opinions concerning what should be done first to stop the bloodshed in the country’s southeast,” said Peskov.

UN figures say the violence in eastern Ukraine has killed over 2,600 people and rendered 340,000 homeless.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama on Wednesday landed in Estonia where the US and NATO allies will approve plans this week to position at least 4,000 NATO troops in Eastern Europe.

 

Source: Agencies