Ukraine crisis: Poroshenko says truce in Ukraine now 'real'
Three days after a new ceasefire was imposed in eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian rebels, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that a ‘real’ truce was in place. Speaking on December 12 during a visit to Australia, Poroshenko said for the first time in seven months, Ukraine's military had not suffered a single casualty. "You simply can't imagine how important it is for me. This is the first night when I don't have either a lost or wounded Ukrainian soldier." Although he admitted the situation remains fragile, Poroshenko said if the ceasefire held it would be ‘a great step for peace and stability in Ukraine.’ “But I pray that we should continue this process," he said in Australia. Earlier, the Ukraine President requested the Kremlin to close Russia’s border with Ukraine stating that the withdrawal of Russian troops will establish peace in his country. Ukraine, the West and NATO countries insist that Russia is helping separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk sending them weaponry and volunteers. The Kremlin has denied sending heavy weapons and soldiers to help the rebels in eastern Ukraine. The current ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels was implemented on Tuesday in the hope of ending an eight-month conflict which, according to the United Nations, has claimed at least 4,300 lives and displaced about one million people.
