Ukrainian president proposes truce to push peace plan

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday called for a truce in eastern Ukraine, where his government faces a rebellion by pro-Russian separatists, to provide time to seek agreement on a peace plan.

In a statement to security chiefs, Poroshenko said he had ordered government forces to regain full control of Ukraine's border with Russia this week.

Once the border is secure, he said, a cease-fire should be observed and efforts made to agree on a peace plan. 

"Declaring a cease-fire while the border is open would be irresponsible," he said.

The separatists rose up against central rule in April after the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, who was sympathetic to Moscow, and Russia's subsequent annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. Scores of government troops, rebels and civilians have been killed in fighting since then.

Since he was sworn in on June 7, Poroshenko has been trying to win agreement for peace proposals, few details of which have been published. His efforts have included talks with a Russian envoy and a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of arming the rebels in eastern Ukraine, but Moscow denies the accusations.

Poroshenko said his proposals include constitutional changes to allow more decentralization of power, a demand by many people in eastern Ukraine. He did not say how long the proposed truce should last. 

Reuters