Poroshenko Vows Not to Give Up Territory to Russia - East Idaho News
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Poroshenko Vows Not to Give Up Territory to Russia

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getty 090914 petroporoshenko?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1410261864146Dan Kitwood/Getty Images(KIEV, Ukraine) — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed Monday that his government will not give up land in the east that pro-Moscow rebels contend is actually Russian territory.

Poroshenko made that pledge during a visit to the southeastern Ukraine city of Mariupol while also promising to protect the port city from separatists who’ve been on the offensive not far from where he spoke to Ukrainian military forces.

A cease-fire agreed to by Kiev, Moscow and the separatists has been in effect since last Friday although there have been some instances of fighting since then.

Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly spoke by phone Monday to affirm their support for the truce to end months of conflict first spurred last March by Crimea’s split from Ukraine to join the Russian Federation.

Although Ukraine and the rebels mostly agreed to provisions of the cease-fire, including prisoner swaps, Poroshenko has already said he would not accept the separatists’ bid for full autonomy.

Adding to the tension is the European Union proposal for another round of sanctions against Moscow for its meddling in Ukraine’s affairs.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, has threatened to respond by possibly banning Western flights over its airspace.


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