Ukraine, rebels hope for cease-fire

(Vatican Radio) Ukraine and pro-Russian militants say they are ready for a cease-fire in the country’s war-torn east if they agree on a peace plan at talks later Friday. They spoke ahead of internationally-backed negotiations in the Belarussian capital Minsk. Their announcement came despite reports of more fighting and planned sanctions against Russia. 

Listen to Stefan Bos' report: 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was ready to order a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine immediately if a deal is signed in Minsk between officials from Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russian rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), known as the Contact Group. 

Pro-Russian rebels made clear they were ready to declare a truce if an accord could be reached on a political settlement for the Russian speaking region.

Yet ahead of the meeting, representatives of the NATO military alliance expressed concern that as many as several thousand Russian troops are actively engaged in the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. 

HEAVY WEAPONS

At least one NATO military officer said the Russian forces are backed by "hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles" as well as other heavy weapons "such as artillery and combat support elements."

The alleged support comes while pro-Russian rebels are approaching Mariupol, a major port of about 500,000 people, as part of efforts to create a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, that Russia annexed in March.   

Moscow has denied it actively supports the rebels, but NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen disagrees. 

"We are still witnessing, unfortunately, Russian involvement in destabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine," he told reporters, speaking at the NATO summit in Wales. 

Rasmussen warned of more tougher sanctions against Russia and said the country would become increasingly isolated amid the biggest East-West confrontation since the Cold War. 

AID PACKAGE

To aid Ukraine's military, NATO leaders agreed on a 20 million dollar package to help Ukraine in areas of cyber-defence, logistics, command, communications and control capabilities and with the treatment of injured soldiers. 

President also claimed that discussions have been held with several NATO states on the delivery of "high precision weapons."

He said he is impressed by NATO's support. “I have never felt such strong enormous support, from all the leaders of the countries, heads of government and the representatives of the people of NATO member states as was demonstrated today,” he added, standing next to Rasmussen. 

However far away in the eastern city of Donetsk, which has suffered under weeks of heavy shelling, at least some residents don't share his views. "NATO?, Why would we need it," said Alina Maksimova. "We need Russia. We need a union with Russia, to trade and to make an income. And NATO? Why would we need it?"

She hopes to see an end to a conflict that has killed as many as 2,600 people.