Shaky ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine

(Vatican Radio) Pro-Russian seperatists have accussed Kiev of violating a ceasefire around the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, though the truce agreed Friday appeared to be holding in most areas of eastern Ukraine. 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says hopes the accord will lead to a lasting peace, something he also discussed during talks Saturday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.  

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: 

The shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine followed months of fierce fighting between government forces and pro-Russian seperatists. 

Poroshenko said the shaky ceasefire was based on an agreement reached during "a long conversation" with Russia's Putin and would be monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 

During talks Friday in the Balarusian capital Minsk, negotiators from Ukraine, the pro-Russian rebels and Russia also agreed on the withdrawal of heavy weapons and on exchanging more than 1,000 prisoners of war from each side, officials said.   

Additionally, they agreed on the delivery of humanitarian aid to devestated cities. 

FIRST STEP 

President Poroshenko called the ceasefire a first step towards a lasting peace in the war-torn area, also known as Donbass. "Now it is very important that this ceasefire last long and that during this ceasefire we continue the political dialogue that can bring peace and stability in Donbass," he told journalists.  

However speaking at a NATO summit in Wales, American President Barack Obama remained scpetical. "With respect to the ceasefire agreement, obviously we are hopeful. But based on past experience also sceptical thatin fact the separatists will follow through and that the Russians will stop violating Ukraine's souvereignity and territorial integrity," Obama said.       

On Saturday, pro-Russian seperatists already accussed Kyiv of violating the truce around te rebel stronghold of Donetsk. 

At least some people living there share those concerns.  

“I don’t think the ceasefire will last,” said Donetsk resident Oleg. “Because Comrade Poroshenko does not keep his word. It’s not just me, most people from Donesk have the same opinion 

NEW VIOLATIONS

Yet, Kiev said the rebels violated the truce by shooting at government positions ten time. 

Despite these isolated incidents, the truce appeared to be holding in most other areas of Ukraine. 

Several neighboring countries still fear however that the conflict will spread beyond Ukraine's borders and accusse Russia seeking to destablize the region. 

That's why the secretary general of the NATO military alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has defended a controversial decision to station a likely 4,000 strong rapid reaction force in eastern european member states.

"All for one, one for all. Europe and North America together. This is what NATO is all about," he stressed.   

Moscow has denied supporting the pro-Russian rebels or actove involvement in the conmflict that killed 2,600 people and displaced hunderds of thousands of people in eastern Ukraine.