Poroshenko questions new Ukraine truce deal

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has raised doubts about the latest peace deal with the pro-Russia forces following a new outbreak of intense fighting in the east ahead of a Saturday night’s ceasefire.

On Friday, Poroshenko accused Russia of “significantly increasing” its offensive in the area despite the peace agreement reached in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, warning that the pact is in “great danger.”

“After what we achieved in Minsk, this is not just shelling of Ukrainian civilians and residential neighborhoods - this is an attack on our Minsk achievements, without any explanations,” Poroshenko said.

“Unfortunately, after Minsk, Russia’s offensive operations have intensified,” he added. “We are still convinced that the Minsk achievements are in a big danger.”

The new deal includes provisions for withdrawal of heavy weapons from battle areas, exchange of prisoners, general amnesty for the pro-Russian militants as well as negotiating terms for future local elections in the militant-held areas.

Counter-charges of civilian killing

This is while pro-Moscow forces reported the death of at least six people as a result of the recent shelling in the city of Donetsk and the town of Horlivka in Ukraine’s east, accusing government forces of targeting the area with artillery fire.

There were also reports of a fresh offensive by Kiev's forces near Mariupol in an area that lies between the militant-held eastern regions and the southern Crimea peninsula.

Both Kiev’s troops and pro-Russians trade blame for the deadly shelling attack.

The Minsk agreement was reached on Thursday after long overnight negotiations between Ukraine, France, Germany and Russia, as part of a Franco-German initiative. French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Kiev and Moscow before meeting Russian and Ukrainian leaders, Vladimir Putin and Poroshenko, in the Belarus capital.

However, media reports say clashes show no sign of abating, with Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Petro Mekhed accusing the pro-Russia forces of aiming to “raise their flag” over Debaltseve and the key port city of Mariupol before midnight when the ceasefire is to take effect.

According to official figures, over 5,400 people have been killed since the east Ukraine conflict began, though the United Nations believes the real casualty figures are much higher.

While Ukraine and its Western allies have persistently accused Russia of supplying weapons and personnel to the militants, Moscow has denied the allegation, pointing to US plans for the dispatch of lethal arms to the government in Kiev.

Ukraine’s rightists reject Minsk pact

The development comes as the leader of Ukraine’s ultra-nationalist movement rejected the Minsk peace agreement and insisted that the group’s paramilitary units in the east would continue “active fighting” according to their “own plans.”

The country’s Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh announced in a Friday statement that his movement does not recognize the Minsk peace deal.

In his statement, Yarosh claimed that the agreement is contrary to Ukraine’s constitution, so Ukrainian citizens are not obliged to abide by it.

Bluntly rejecting the German and French initiative, Yarosh said Poroshenko should have turned to the US or the UK which “observe a consistent anti-Kremlin policy.”

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