Ukraine: Ukraine readies for attacks in east
Amid a crumbling peace plan in Ukraine, NATO has reported Russian troop movement near the Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, Kyiv has vowed to protect eastern cities from the rebels trying to exert power over the region.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko convened the Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council on Tuesday evening in reaction to the ballot held over the weekend by separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine.
“Ukraine remains a firm supporter of the peace plan,” Poroshenko told his security chiefs at the start of the meeting.
While the peace plan has not been entirely effective, with continued reports of fighting near Donetsk and other cities in the east, the Ukrainian president has thus far rejected a new military campaign.
But on Tuesday, Poroshenko requested the military deploy more troops to the eastern towns of Mariupol and Kharkiv, in a bid to stave off attacks.