This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31495099
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine crisis: Army and rebels stall heavy arms pullout | Ukraine crisis: Army and rebels stall heavy arms pullout |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ukraine's government and separatist rebels have failed to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line, despite a Monday deadline. | Ukraine's government and separatist rebels have failed to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line, despite a Monday deadline. |
| The two sides were given until two days after the latest truce came into effect to start the pullout. | The two sides were given until two days after the latest truce came into effect to start the pullout. |
| Although most areas are quiet, fierce fighting is reported inside the town of Debaltseve, a key transport hub. | |
| The leaders of Germany, Ukraine and Russia discussed the crisis in an overnight phone call. | The leaders of Germany, Ukraine and Russia discussed the crisis in an overnight phone call. |
| Germany said they had agreed "concrete measures" for observers to have greater access, but gave no details. | Germany said they had agreed "concrete measures" for observers to have greater access, but gave no details. |
| Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), who are charged with monitoring the ceasefire, have been trying to reach Debaltseve after being denied access by pro-Russian rebels on Sunday. | Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), who are charged with monitoring the ceasefire, have been trying to reach Debaltseve after being denied access by pro-Russian rebels on Sunday. |
| Ukraine's military said on Tuesday that five soldiers had been killed and 14 wounded in the past 24 hours. A spokesman told AFP news agency that most of the deaths happened near Debaltseve. | Ukraine's military said on Tuesday that five soldiers had been killed and 14 wounded in the past 24 hours. A spokesman told AFP news agency that most of the deaths happened near Debaltseve. |
| "The German chancellor and Ukrainian president called on the Russian president to exercise his influence on the separatists to enforce the ceasefire," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said. | "The German chancellor and Ukrainian president called on the Russian president to exercise his influence on the separatists to enforce the ceasefire," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said. |
| "Further, the withdrawal of heavy weapons should be started on Tuesday, as agreed in Minsk." | "Further, the withdrawal of heavy weapons should be started on Tuesday, as agreed in Minsk." |
| The ceasefire which came into effect on Sunday has been broadly observed, however separatists insist that the agreement does not apply in Debaltseve because they have the town surrounded. | The ceasefire which came into effect on Sunday has been broadly observed, however separatists insist that the agreement does not apply in Debaltseve because they have the town surrounded. |
| Artillery strikes were reported overnight and on Tuesday morning around Debaltseve. Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh said separatists had continued to attack government positions. | Artillery strikes were reported overnight and on Tuesday morning around Debaltseve. Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh said separatists had continued to attack government positions. |
| Prominent Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsapliyenko reported that pro-Russian forces had seized the railway station in Debaltseve. | |
| A Ukrainian military spokesman quoted by Reuters confirmed that rebels were attacking the station but said it was still in government hands. | |
| Rebels have offered Ukrainian troops under siege there a safe corridor to leave. | Rebels have offered Ukrainian troops under siege there a safe corridor to leave. |
| Senior rebel leader Denis Pushilin described Debaltseve as "internal territory" and said fighting for it was "a moral thing". | Senior rebel leader Denis Pushilin described Debaltseve as "internal territory" and said fighting for it was "a moral thing". |
| "We do not have the right (to stop fighting)," he told Reuters. | "We do not have the right (to stop fighting)," he told Reuters. |
| Another rebel leader, Andrei Purgin, said separatists planned to discuss the possible withdrawal of weapons later on Tuesday with representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. | Another rebel leader, Andrei Purgin, said separatists planned to discuss the possible withdrawal of weapons later on Tuesday with representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. |
| Under the ceasefire agreed in the Belarus capital Minsk last week, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from front line areas was due to start no later than the second day after the truce came into effect and be completed within two weeks. | Under the ceasefire agreed in the Belarus capital Minsk last week, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from front line areas was due to start no later than the second day after the truce came into effect and be completed within two weeks. |
| The withdrawal would create buffer zones 50-140km (30-85 miles) wide. | The withdrawal would create buffer zones 50-140km (30-85 miles) wide. |
| But both sides says they will not withdraw heavy weapons until they see movement from the other side. | But both sides says they will not withdraw heavy weapons until they see movement from the other side. |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have previously called for the OSCE to be granted free access to eastern Ukraine. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have previously called for the OSCE to be granted free access to eastern Ukraine. |
| Mrs Merkel has described the situation as "fragile". | Mrs Merkel has described the situation as "fragile". |
| US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US was "gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in and around Debaltseve" and called on "Russia and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately". | US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US was "gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in and around Debaltseve" and called on "Russia and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately". |
| Meanwhile, further EU sanctions against Russia have gone into effect. | Meanwhile, further EU sanctions against Russia have gone into effect. |
| The new sanctions list targets 19 officials - most of them in the pro-Russian separatist strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk, but also two Russian deputy defence ministers and a Russian celebrity singer and MP, Iosif Kobzon. | The new sanctions list targets 19 officials - most of them in the pro-Russian separatist strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk, but also two Russian deputy defence ministers and a Russian celebrity singer and MP, Iosif Kobzon. |
| Officials say more than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, but the UN believes the actual death toll to be much higher. | Officials say more than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, but the UN believes the actual death toll to be much higher. |
| Minsk agreement: Key points | Minsk agreement: Key points |
| Ukraine 'pits Russia against West' | Ukraine 'pits Russia against West' |
| Ukraine conflict in maps | Ukraine conflict in maps |
| Do you live in eastern Ukraine or have friends and family in the region? What do you think about the recent developments? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
| Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist. | Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist. |
| Have your say | Have your say |