Gleb Garanich / Reuters
Petro Poroshenko, the Ukrainian president, declared Wednesday that a “lasting ceasefire” had been agreed on in eastern Ukraine. Poroshenko made the announcement after a phone call with President Vladimir Putin. However, soon after reports of a deal between Moscow and Kiev emerged, a Kremlin spokesman said Russia could make no such agreement as it had never been involved in any conflict in eastern Ukraine in the first place. Poroshenko then revised his statement to say, “The parties reached mutual understanding on the steps that will facilitate the establishment of peace.”
President Obama said the U.S. had consistently supported Poroshenko as he worked toward a ceasefire, but said “it’s too early to tell” how serious or lasting the deal will prove to be.