Ukraine has plan B if ceasefire proposal fails: Poroshenko
Iran Press TV
Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:0PM GMT
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has outlined additional details of his peace plan, making it clear that the initiative has an alternative if the ceasefire proposal fails.
In an address to the nation late on Saturday night, Poroshenko outlined his 15-step peace plan aimed at curbing the militancy in the restive east.
"The peaceful scenario is our main plan. But those who hope to use peaceful talks only to drag time and regroup their forces should know that we have a detailed plan B. I am not going to disclose it now because I believe that our peace plan is going to work," he said.
Poroshenko announced a unilateral ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on June 20. He ordered Ukrainian army units in the flashpoint cities in the country's east and southeast regions to observe a ceasefire until June 27 in an attempt to deescalate tensions in such areas.
The Ukrainian president warned that the Ukrainian troops would be given the right to return fire if pro-Russia protesters attack their units during the ceasefire.
Russia has welcomed the ceasefire, but warned that the peace plan should not be used as an ultimatum against pro-Russia protesters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that artillery was used in overnight fighting in eastern Ukraine, saying the truce will not be viable unless practical measures are taken to initiate talks between the opposing sides.
Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking parts in the east have been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russia protesters and the Ukrainian army since Kiev launched military operations in the southeastern regions in mid-April in a bid to root out the demonstrations there.
MOS/AB
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