Reuters
Ukraine ruled out proposed direct talks with rebels in the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, telling Moscow to stop “playing games” aimed at legitimizing “terrorists.” Meanwhile, Igor Plotnitsky, leader of the self-declared separatist republic in Luhansk, offered a more visceral, direct way to end the monthslong conflict: a duel. Plotnitsky challenged Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to a one-on-one fight, saying “Let’s follow the example of the ancient Slavic leaders and glorious Kazakh chiefs and clash in a fight.” He added that Poroshenko could pick the time and weapons, according to ITAR-Tass. “The one who wins will dictate the terms to the opposite side,” the rebel leader offered. Ukraine’s government made no immediate public response.