Interfax reported that talks to end the uprising in eastern Ukraine, bringing together a former Ukrainian president, the Russian ambassador and pro-Russian rebel leaders along with European officials, have begun.
The talks started Monday in Donetsk, the biggest city in the rebellious east. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko laid out his peace plan on Friday, declaring a unilateral cease-fire in fighting to uproot the mutiny that has engulfed the nation's industrial east for the past two months.
Russia welcomed the peace plan, but urged the Ukrainian government to engage in talks with the insurgents, who have declared their regions independent, seized official buildings and fought government troops.
Ukraine's former President Leonid Kuchma will participate in the talks, Poroshenko's office said. Kuchma, who served as president from 1994 to 2005, comes from the country's east.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
