Turchynov: Poroshenko is likely to extend ceasefire upon returning from Brussels
Earlier, Poroshenko pledged to implement plan “B” in case the militias in the east continued fighting
KIEV, June 27. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is expected to make an official statement on possible extension of ceasefire in east Ukraine upon his return from Brussels later in the day, Ukrainian parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov said on Friday.
“Today is a very important day for Ukraine. It has signed an association agreement with the European Union. The president will announce further actions later in the day,” Turchynov emphasized.
He added that regretfully the people’s militias in East Ukraine had not heeded the Ukrainian authorities’ proposal and continued using arms.
Earlier, Poroshenko pledged to implement plan “B” in case the militias in the east continued fighting. The Ukrainian leadership is keeping the plan’s details secret.
Parliament-appointed Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov during the rite of passage of graduates from the National police academy of Ukraine has stated that the Ukrainian side is set to give “an adequate, but tough response to the terrorists who will not lay down arms in the nearest hours”. “Everyone who is sane will get another few hours to fulfill the requirements put forth by Ukraine. Otherwise we will be acting adequately and violently,” he said.
Avakov stated that overnight to Thursday, a checkpoint in Sloviansk was attacked by militiamen. According to his estimates, this has “a political, but not military background”. “This is an attack on peace, on attempts to solve the conflict by peaceful means,” the minister noted. Avakov added that “the militants are observing the truce that cost Ukraine a lot in a weird way”. “In the framework of the so called peaceful process by LPR and DPR we unfortunately have more than 20 casualties on our side, a huge number of wounded, patience that drained to the lees,” he noted.
President Poroshenko’s order on ceasefire came into effect June 20 at 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT). The document said “if an armed attack is carried out on Ukrainian military units and civilians, the servicemen will open fire in response”.