Ukraine: Separatists agree to ceasefire
Ukraine’s new Western-backed president faces pressure to negotiate with top rebel commanders after a surprise turnabout in which the pro-Russian insurgents agreed to a truce and talks on ending their uprising.
In an unexpected announcement that came after talks with Russia’s ambassador to Kiev and an OSCE envoy, the head of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic on Monday said he was dropping his demand for an immediate Ukrainian troop withdrawal.
‘We hope that during the period in which both sides halt fire, we will be able to agree and begin consultations about holding negotiations about a peaceful settlement to the conflict,’ Oleksandr Borodai said, adding that his forces would hold their fire until Friday morning.