Ukraine rebel leader: We are open to a cease-fire
DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — A top rebel leader announced Saturday that the rebel stronghold of Donetsk is surrounded by Ukrainian government troops and his forces were willing to accept a cease-fire in order to stave off a humanitarian catastrophe.
There was no immediate government response to the statement from Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the so-called prime minister of the Donetsk separatists.
Russia, which the Ukrainian government in Kyiv and Western countries allege is supporting the rebels, has called repeatedly for a humanitarian mission into eastern Ukraine.