Ukrainian authorities announced a new ceasefire to begin on December 9 to secure the Minsk agreement.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Ukrainian president has announced a new ceasefire to begin on December 9.
The so-called ‘day of silence’ in eastern Ukraine aims to secure a previous truce agreed in Minsk in September which only marginally reduced the fighting.
AFP newsagency reports that pro-Russian separatists have also agreed to the truce. Although other sources report that the oral agreement has yet to be signed.
If respected, Kyiv would begin the removal of heavy artillery on December 10.
It comes after pro-Russian rebels announced a ceasefire on Tuesday. Though Ukrainian military reported attacks at Donetsk airport despite the deal.
Talks of ceasefire are of little comfort to residents of the eastern city of Luhansk.
“We’re worrying about what is happening and do not want our nation to be at war. We need help and we are asking for it to be given to us,” said Iryna (who didn’t give her last name).
More than 4,300 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since the conflict began in April, and several truces have been agreed and broken within that period.