Ukraine ceasefire with Russian rebels holds on Saturday

A ceasefire agreed by the Ukrainian government and pro-Russia rebels in the east appears to be holding. Despite some initial shelling in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk after the truce began at 6 p.m. local time, the ceasefire appeared to be holding and no fighting was reported overnight. But many residents and combatants were skeptical that the ceasefire could last long or provide the basis for a durable peace settlement. The two sides remain far apart on the future of the region. The ceasefire talks, brokered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), involved former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, leaders of the pro-Russian rebels, and Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov.

Human life is of the highest value. And we need to do everything that is possible and impossible to stop the bloodshed and end people’s suffering.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko

Both sides pledged to withdraw heavy weapons from the eastern battlefields as soon as possible. Russia also agreed with Ukraine to restart humanitarian assistance to the eastern region. Despite the deal, European Union ambassadors agreed to stronger sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the war in Ukraine, with the measures set to be implemented on Monday, diplomats said in Brussels. The diplomats said the EU sanctions - the latest economic measures aimed at Moscow over Ukraine - could be suspended if the truce holds and Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine.

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