September 11, 2014
Kiev: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (click here) has pledged greater autonomy for the separatist east but says that would not compromise Kiev's control.
He has also said that 70 per cent of Russian forces had left the east, greatly improving security in the region and enhancing chances of a fragile truce.
The pro-Western leader's comments on Wednesday were soon followed by a European Union decision to extend by another day a heated debate on unleashing new sanctions aimed at punishing Russia over what the West says is Moscow's military aggression in Ukraine.
Mr Poroshenko said Friday's ceasefire - the first backed by both Kiev and Moscow since the conflict erupted five months ago - had dramatically improved security in the country's war-ravaged industrial rustbelt.
"According to the latest information I received from our intelligence headquarters, 70 per cent of Russia's forces have been removed," the presidency website quoted Mr Poroshenko as telling a cabinet meeting.
"This gives us hope that there are good prospects for the peace initiative."...
