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Ukraine president accuses Russia of doing nothing to end 'disastrous' war Ukrainian president accuses Russia of doing nothing to end 'disastrous' war
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of "doing nothing" to end the "disastrous" war in the east of his country, and said that he would decide later on Friday whether to extend a week-long ceasefire with rebels. Ukraine's president, Petro Poroshenko, has accused Russia of "doing nothing" to end the "disastrous" war in the east of his country, and said that he would decide later on Friday whether to extend a week-long ceasefire with rebels.
In an interview with the Guardian and four other European newspapers, Poroshenko said separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions had carried out "more than 150 attacks" against government troops since the ceasefire began a week ago. Five Ukrainian soldiers had died "in the last hour an half," he said bitterly. In an interview with the Guardian and four other European newspapers, Poroshenko said separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions had carried out more than 150 attacks against government troops since the ceasefire began a week ago. Five Ukrainian soldiers had died "in the last hour and a half," he said bitterly.
Speaking in Brussels, Poroshenko stated bluntly that the rebels were under the control of Vladimir Putin's Kremlin. "I think now Russia has done nothing," he said. "We are talking of Russian citizens, Russian officers, Russians by origin, Russian soldiers of fortune." He characterised the Kremlin's strategy in Ukraine as "not very pragmatic" and "very emotional".Speaking in Brussels, Poroshenko stated bluntly that the rebels were under the control of Vladimir Putin's Kremlin. "I think now Russia has done nothing," he said. "We are talking of Russian citizens, Russian officers, Russians by origin, Russian soldiers of fortune." He characterised the Kremlin's strategy in Ukraine as "not very pragmatic" and "very emotional".
He added: "Beforehand they [Russia] wanted to destabilise the situation in Ukraine." Poroshenko said he had done "his best" to persuade Russia's president Vladimir Putin to sign up to a peace deal that would bring an end to the conflict. He had discussed his proposals with Putin in Normandy shortly before he was inaugurated as president two weeks ago, he said. His goal was to make Russia "a predictable partner", he added. He added: "Beforehand they [Russia] wanted to destabilise the situation in Ukraine." Poroshenko said he had done his best to persuade Putin to sign up to a peace deal that would bring an end to the conflict. He had discussed his proposals with the Russian president in Normandy shortly before he was inaugurated as president two weeks ago, he said. His goal was to make Russia "a predictable partner", he added.
Earlier, Poroshenko signed an association agreement with the European Union that brings Ukraine significantly closer to Europe and European markets. Russia warned on Friday the deal would have "consequences". Last November, then president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the EU agreement, instead accepting a bailout from Moscow. This triggered mass street protests which led to Yanukovych fleeing the country and to Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea. Earlier, Poroshenko signed an association agreement with the European Union that brings Ukraine significantly closer to Europe and European markets. Russia warned on Friday that the deal would have unspecified "consequences". Last November, the then president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the EU agreement, instead accepting a bailout from Moscow. This triggered mass street protests, which led to Yanukovych fleeing the country and to Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea.
On Friday Poroshenko said he had discussed his 15-point peace plan for Ukraine at length with EU leaders, including Angela Merkel, François Hollande and David Cameron. He said the EU was "completely united" in its support for his country which faced a grave security crisis. "That is why I'm happy. They spoke with one voice," he told the Guardian. On Friday Poroshenko said that he had discussed his 15-point peace plan for Ukraine at length with EU leaders, including Angela Merkel, François Hollande and David Cameron. He said the EU was "completely united" in its support for his country, which faced a grave security crisis. "That is why I'm happy. They spoke with one voice," he told the Guardian.
The European council – representing EU leaders – agreed to postpone a decision until Monday on whether to impose further sanctions against the Russian Federation. Poroshenko said his plan envisaged a ceasefire verified by European monitors, including Russian representatives; the return of three border crossings to Ukrainian forces; and the release of hostages seized by separatists. Four Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors were freed on Friday, but separatists were still holding "180 prisoners", Poroshenko said, including eight captured on Thursday. The European council – representing EU leaders – agreed to postpone a decision until Monday on whether to impose further sanctions against the Russian Federation. Poroshenko said his plan envisaged a ceasefire verified by European monitors, including Russian representatives; the return of three border crossings to Ukrainian forces; and the release of hostages seized by separatists. Four Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors were freed on Friday, but separatists were still holding 180 prisoners, Poroshenko said, including eight captured on Thursday.
Poroshenko frankly admitted that the situation in parts of the east of the country was a "real disaster". He said that "half of Donetsk province and one third of Luhansk province is a zone of war". "There are no banks open. No pensions are being paid. There is no water, electricity. Lots of people with weapons are on the streets. People are afraid to go outside." Poroshenko frankly admitted that the situation in parts of the east of the country was a "real disaster". He said that "half of Donetsk province and one third of Luhansk province is a zone of war".
"There are no banks open. No pensions are being paid. There is no water, electricity. Lots of people with weapons are on the streets. People are afraid to go outside."
He said that in areas controlled by Kiev – some 87% of the country – by contrast, life was entirely calm. "Within 2km from our checkpoints it's normal life. It's peace. It's calm."He said that in areas controlled by Kiev – some 87% of the country – by contrast, life was entirely calm. "Within 2km from our checkpoints it's normal life. It's peace. It's calm."
Asked if Ukraine would get Crimea back during his presidential term, Poroshenko smiled and said: "Yes" Asked if Ukraine would get Crimea back during his presidential term, Poroshenko smiled and said: "Yes."