Russia, Ukraine set to renew cease-fire talks

World Today

Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine embarked on a “Day of Silence” Tuesday, but Ukraine had already accused the separatists for breaking the truce.

Russian media reported that Kiev wanted to hold talks on Tuesday whereas pro-Russia militants wanted more time.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was “moderately optimistic” about the chance of stopping the fighting, and said Ukrainians saw their country’s future with Europe.

“I’m absolutely sure that Europe is ready for Ukraine. Ukraine may be past the most difficult exam in their history and maybe they pay the highest price for getting European membership,” Poroshenko said.

Russia resumed gas flows to Ukraine, according to the country’s gas transit company Ukrtransgas, after halting supplies six months ago in a dispute over prices and unpaid debts.

After gas supplies from Russia and coal supplies from eastern Ukraine dwindled, Kyiv was forced to introduce widespread power cuts. With relations poor because of the fighting in Ukraine’s east, Russia had insisted that Ukraine pay upfront for renewed supplies over the winter.

CCTV’s Tom Barton reported this story from Moscow.