Ukraine’s military says it cannot begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the frontlines in the country’s east in accordance with a cease-fire deal, because pro-Russian rebels are still carrying out attacks.
Officials said Monday there can be no talk of withdrawing weapons as long as the attacks continue.
On Sunday, both sides agreed to withdraw their heavy weapons from the frontlines. The move was seen as a positive sign for the implementation of a peace plan that has been violated repeatedly.
Military officials said the rebels agreed to complete the withdrawal over the next two weeks, with media reports saying their pullback could begin on Sunday, February 22.
The weapons withdrawal is required under a cease-fire deal that came into effect more than a week ago.
Sunday’s agreement came a day after Ukraine and the rebels carried out a prisoner exchange, the first major sign of progress for an otherwise shaky cease-fire reached on February 12. In the exchange, 139 Ukrainian troops were traded for 52 rebels.
Rebels said the prisoners included some troops captured in the strategic railroad town of Debaltseve, which was overtaken by separatists last week in the worst breach of the OSCE-backed truce.
Kharkiv blast
Also Sunday, two people were killed in a bomb explosion in the Ukrainian-held city of Kharkiv, as government supporters there and elsewhere marked the one-year anniversary of the overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. A third victim of the blast, a 15-year-old boy, died Monday from injuries sustained.
Police said several suspects were arrested in the bomb attack, with a Ukrainian security aide saying they had received weapons and training in Russia.
In Kyiv, several thousand people, led by President Petro Poroshenko, held a peaceful ceremony in Independence Square to mark the anniversary and to commemorate the deaths a year ago of more than 100 anti-Yanukovych protesters.
Since the ouster of the Yanukovych government, Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and pro-Russia separatist rebels launched a rebellion in Ukraine’s east. At least 5,600 people have been killed since fighting erupted 10 months ago.
Russia has been widely accused of supplying rebels with arms, fighters and other supplies. Moscow has repeatedly denied direct involvement.
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