Ukraine won’t pull back troops until pro-Russian militants cease fire
MOSCOW – A Ukrainian official says Kyiv won’t pull back its troops until the previously agreed ceasefire is implemented.
The ceasefire that was declared Sept. 5 has been repeatedly violated.
Negotiators in Ukrainian peace talks agreed Saturday to create a buffer zone between government troops and pro-Russian militants by halting their advances and pulling back heavy weapons in order to ensure a stable truce in eastern Ukraine. More than 3,000 people have died in the conflict that has been raging since mid-April.
Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for the National Security and Defence Council, told reporters in Kyiv on Sunday that the government “is not talking about” implementing the agreements until the complete ceasefire is achieved. He said rebels fired at government positions in the vicinity of 22 towns or villages on Saturday.