Ukrainian studies

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Sept. 5 his envoy had signed a "preliminary" truce deal with pro-Russian rebels aimed at halting five months of fighting that has claimed 2,600 lives.

Putin reveals "7-point plan" for ceasefire in Ukraine

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented a 7-point plan to cease hostilities in Ukraine.

The plan was announced after his telephone conversation with Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko earlier in the day on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he is to call a permanent ceasefire following a conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Poroshenko's press office says the conversation the two held over the phone has led to "an agreement on a permanent ceasefire in the Donbass region" in the east of Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces ceded a strategic eastern airport to pro-Russian insurgents on Sept. 1 as the government in Kiev accused Moscow of launching a "great war" that could claim tens of thousands of lives.

Kiev forces have pulled back from the airport of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine after having fought pro-Russian separatist for hours.

The country's security council confirmed the move in a statement quoted by UNIAN news agency.

Meanwhile reports emerged that a Ukrainian warship had been attacked by separatists in the Azov sea. Kiev says the cutter was assaulted from the coast.

Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko announced on Thursday that Russian troops have invaded Ukraine and cancelled his working visit to Turkey.

Agreement on new shipment of humanitarian aid

MINSK -- Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that Moscow should send humanitatrian aid to Ukraine.

According to reports, this will happen under the auspices of the ICRC and in cooperation with Kiev.

A meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia has failed to yield an agreement to stop the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Talks between Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko and his Russian counterpart  Vladimir Putin in Belarus’ capital of Minsk on Tuesday included a one-to-one session that stretched late into the night.

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has dissolved parliament and announced snap elections for 26 October.

In a televised address late on Monday, he said many Urainian lawmakers supported ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and blocked reform which made it necessary to cleanse parliament.

Ukrainan President Petro Poroshenko promised that over EUR 2.2 B are to be set aside for rearmament as the country is celebrating its Independence Day.

At the military parade marking the anniversary he explained the money would be allocated between 2015 and 2017.

It will be mostly spent on fighter jets, helicopters, ships, and cutters.