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Ukraine to create humanitarian corridors in east Ukraine to create humanitarian corridors
(about 7 hours later)
Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors for civilians to flee areas of the east hit by conflict. Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors so civilians can flee areas of the east hit by conflict.
In a statement, the presidency said ministers had been told to establish "all necessary conditions for civilians who want to leave". Scores have died in recent fighting in the eastern Ukraine between government troops and pro-Russia militants who want to break away from Kiev.
Violence between pro-Russia militants and Ukrainian forces in the east has left more than 200 dead, officials say. Thousands of people are thought to have been displaced by the fighting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed Mr Poroshenko's announcement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed Mr Poroshenko's move, but said what was needed most was a ceasefire.
The move to create corridors meets one of Russia's main demands. The government in Kiev says Moscow is backing the armed separatists in the east, an accusation that Russia denies.
But Mr Poroshenko has still not accepted the Kremlin's request to allow Russian aid into the east - a move that Kiev fears could be used to arm the rebels. At his inauguration on Saturday, Mr Poroshenko had promised he would provide safe passage for "Russian militants" out of Ukraine.
At his inauguration on Saturday, Mr Poroshenko said he would provide safe passage for "Russian militants" out of Ukraine. In a short statement on Tuesday, his office clarified this further, saying that "to avoid new victims in the zone of the anti-terrorist operation, the president has ordered the responsible ministers to bring about all necessary conditions for civilians who want to leave".
On Tuesday his office clarified this further, saying in a statement that "to avoid new victims in the zone of the anti-terrorist operation, the president has ordered the responsible ministers to bring about all necessary conditions for civilians who want to leave".
The government has also been ordered to provide transport, food and medical supplies for local officials to be able to handle the expected inflow of displaced people into other areas of Ukraine.The government has also been ordered to provide transport, food and medical supplies for local officials to be able to handle the expected inflow of displaced people into other areas of Ukraine.
The move to create these corridors may allay concerns from human rights groups about Kiev's use of tanks and air power to suppress the pro-Russian militia.The move to create these corridors may allay concerns from human rights groups about Kiev's use of tanks and air power to suppress the pro-Russian militia.
Mr Poroshenko has said he plans to end nearly two months of fighting by the end of this week. But Mr Poroshenko has still not accepted the Kremlin's request to allow Russian aid into the east - a move that Kiev fears could be used to arm the rebels.
But at the moment, violence is continuing in two eastern regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, where separatists have declared independence. The violence is continuing in two eastern regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, where separatists have declared independence.
Some of the worst attacks have been in and around the towns of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Pro-Russia gunmen are holding several government buildings, and Ukrainian troops are taking part in a "counter-terror operation".Pro-Russia gunmen are holding several government buildings, and Ukrainian troops are taking part in a "counter-terror operation".
Gas dispute Some of the worst attacks have been in and around the towns of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Ukraine's new leader has called for daily meetings on the situation in the east, involving representatives from Kiev, Moscow and the Organization for Security and Co-operation and Europe. After a meeting in the Russian city of St Petersburg on Tuesday with his Russian and Polish counterparts, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said there had been a "new atmosphere" in recent days, and that he could see "the light at the end of the tunnel".
Analysts say it is vital for Ukraine and Russia to work together. But Mr Lavrov dismissed this, saying clashes were continuing and in some cases, "becoming even more intense".
He said that regardless of the varying views on the crisis, the focus must now be on an "unconditional and immediate ceasefire" and productive dialogue.
Mr Steinmeier also called on Russia and Ukraine to co-operate more closely on controlling their shared borders.
Mr Poroshenko has called for daily meetings on the situation in the east, involving representatives from Kiev, Moscow and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The fighting is concentrated in regions which have extensive trade and cultural ties with Russia.The fighting is concentrated in regions which have extensive trade and cultural ties with Russia.
The countries are also locked in a dispute over gas. The countries are also locked in a dispute over gas supplies, with Russia saying Ukraine owes it almost $2.5bn (£1.6bn) in backdated payments.
Russia had given Ukraine a deadline of Tuesday to pay some of its fuel debts or face a supply cut, but so far it appears that gas supplies to Ukraine - and from there to the European Union - remain stable. Russia had given Ukraine a deadline of Tuesday to pay some of its debts or face being cut off, a move which would potentially could disrupt supplies to the EU, as about 15% of Europe's gas from Russia transits through Ukraine.
But so far it appears that gas supplies to Ukraine - and from there to the European Union - remain stable, and officials from both countries are holding further talks in Brussels on Tuesday evening.
Are you in Ukraine? Will you benefit from the humanitarian corridors? Please send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ukraine.Are you in Ukraine? Will you benefit from the humanitarian corridors? Please send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ukraine.