Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday said a deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine could be reached this week, a clear attempt to show the West he was trying to de-escalate the conflict, despite renewed shelling.
After speaking with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Putin said their views on ending the violence were “very close” and Kiev and the rebels could reach an agreement by tomorrow, much-needed respite for the Ukrainian leader battling a crumbling economy.
However, hopes of peace were clouded by Western concerns that the announcement was timed by the Kremlin to wrong-foot NATO on the eve of a summit that will discuss the crisis and to sow doubt in the EU over imposing new sanctions against Moscow.
Photo: Reuters
US President Barack Obama said a ceasefire would succeed only if Moscow stopped sending troops to Ukraine.
New shelling of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, sending plumes of grey smoke from near the city’s airport, also undermined confidence in an end to hostilities.
“The parties reached mutual understanding on the steps that will facilitate the establishment of peace,” Poroshenko’s office said, amending an earlier statement that had spoken of agreement on a “permanent ceasefire.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the leaders agreed on steps toward peace, but not a ceasefire because Russia was not a party to the conflict, which has killed more than 2,600 people since April.
Putin sounded upbeat in comments to reporters during a visit to Mongolia.
“Our views on the way to resolve the conflict, as it seemed to me, are very close,” he said, outlining the seven steps he had put forward to secure a resolution to the crisis, including a prisoner exchange and the creation of a humanitarian corridor for refugees and aid supplies.
Putin called for Ukrainian troops to pull back and for rebels to cease offensive operations.
Although there was confusion over what had been agreed by Kiev and Moscow, the sides’ statements pointed to a degree of progress that might yet influence EU leaders as they consider introducing new sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Moscow yesterday announced plans for huge military exercises this month in south-central Russia by the strategic rocket forces responsible for its long-range nuclear weapons.
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