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Ukraine crisis: Nato top general says truce 'in name only' | Ukraine crisis: Nato top general says truce 'in name only' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Nato's most senior military commander has said the ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists currently exists "in name only". | Nato's most senior military commander has said the ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists currently exists "in name only". |
Gen Philip Breedlove said the numbers of artillery rounds fired recently was comparable to periods before the truce came into effect two weeks ago. | Gen Philip Breedlove said the numbers of artillery rounds fired recently was comparable to periods before the truce came into effect two weeks ago. |
He added, however, that he was "hopeful" about a new agreement signed in the early hours of Saturday. | He added, however, that he was "hopeful" about a new agreement signed in the early hours of Saturday. |
Ukraine accuses Russia of arming separatists, but Russia denies this. | Ukraine accuses Russia of arming separatists, but Russia denies this. |
More than 3,000 people have died in fighting in two eastern regions since April. | More than 3,000 people have died in fighting in two eastern regions since April. |
A truce was agreed on 5 September but there have been repeated violations since then. | A truce was agreed on 5 September but there have been repeated violations since then. |
Russian return | Russian return |
Gen Breedlove, Nato's supreme allied commander in Europe, was speaking after a meeting with Nato military chiefs in Vilnius, Lithuania. | Gen Breedlove, Nato's supreme allied commander in Europe, was speaking after a meeting with Nato military chiefs in Vilnius, Lithuania. |
"The situation in Ukraine is not good right now," he told reporters. | "The situation in Ukraine is not good right now," he told reporters. |
"The number of events, and the number of rounds fired and the artillery used across the past few days match some of the pre-ceasefire levels. The ceasefire is still there in name, but what is happening on the ground is quite a different story," he added. | "The number of events, and the number of rounds fired and the artillery used across the past few days match some of the pre-ceasefire levels. The ceasefire is still there in name, but what is happening on the ground is quite a different story," he added. |
He said that since last week, some Russian forces inside Ukraine had returned to Russia but remained available to "bring their military force to bear on Ukraine". | He said that since last week, some Russian forces inside Ukraine had returned to Russia but remained available to "bring their military force to bear on Ukraine". |
Nato has plans to bolster its military presence in countries bordering Russia, including the Baltic states, which used to be part of the Soviet bloc. | Nato has plans to bolster its military presence in countries bordering Russia, including the Baltic states, which used to be part of the Soviet bloc. |
Gen Breedlove praised a new nine-point ceasefire memorandum which was signed in Minsk on Saturday morning. | Gen Breedlove praised a new nine-point ceasefire memorandum which was signed in Minsk on Saturday morning. |
The deal was reached after late-night talks between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, eastern separatists and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). | The deal was reached after late-night talks between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, eastern separatists and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). |
The agreement includes setting up a 30km (19-mile) buffer zone, a ban on overflights of part of eastern Ukraine by military aircraft and the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries" on both sides. | The agreement includes setting up a 30km (19-mile) buffer zone, a ban on overflights of part of eastern Ukraine by military aircraft and the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries" on both sides. |
Moscow has repeatedly denied sending Russian troops to Ukraine or arming Ukrainian separatists. | Moscow has repeatedly denied sending Russian troops to Ukraine or arming Ukrainian separatists. |
The Russian government says that any Russians fighting inside Ukraine are doing so in a private capacity. | The Russian government says that any Russians fighting inside Ukraine are doing so in a private capacity. |
Minsk memorandum: Key points | Minsk memorandum: Key points |
Are you in Ukraine? How is the conflict affecting you? You can email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |