This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/world/europe/russia-and-others-seek-extended-ukraine-truce-but-separatists-balk.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russia and Others Seek Extended Ukraine Truce, but Separatists Balk Russia and Others Seek Extended Ukraine Truce, but Separatists Balk
(2 months later)
DONETSK, Ukraine — The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on Wednesday called for extending the truce between government and rebel troops in eastern Ukraine, even as separatist leaders said that the peace process had collapsed. DONETSK, Ukraine — The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on Wednesday called for extending the truce between government and rebel troops in eastern Ukraine, even as separatist leaders said that the peace process had collapsed.
Faced with the threat of additional economic sanctions from Washington, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia discussed an extension of the cease-fire, which is to expire on Friday, in a telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President François Hollande of France and Ukraine’s new president, Petro O. Poroshenko.Faced with the threat of additional economic sanctions from Washington, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia discussed an extension of the cease-fire, which is to expire on Friday, in a telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President François Hollande of France and Ukraine’s new president, Petro O. Poroshenko.
He said Russia had made a commitment to ease the conflict by revoking an order that provided for the use of the Russian Army in Ukraine.He said Russia had made a commitment to ease the conflict by revoking an order that provided for the use of the Russian Army in Ukraine.
Surprise talks between separatist leaders and representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian governments, as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, on Monday offered the first hope for a settlement in the conflict, which has left more than 420 people dead since mid-April, according to the United Nations.Surprise talks between separatist leaders and representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian governments, as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, on Monday offered the first hope for a settlement in the conflict, which has left more than 420 people dead since mid-April, according to the United Nations.
Yet on Tuesday, one day after the cease-fire was declared, rebel forces in the city of Slovyansk shot down a Ukrainian Army helicopter with a surface-to-air missile, killing nine servicemen.Yet on Tuesday, one day after the cease-fire was declared, rebel forces in the city of Slovyansk shot down a Ukrainian Army helicopter with a surface-to-air missile, killing nine servicemen.
Aleksandr Borodai, a separatist leader from Russia, said that fighting had resumed almost immediately after the temporary truce was announced Monday.Aleksandr Borodai, a separatist leader from Russia, said that fighting had resumed almost immediately after the temporary truce was announced Monday.
“There was no peace, and the cease-fire is not being observed,” said Mr. Borodai, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, adding that the agreement was violated first by government troops.“There was no peace, and the cease-fire is not being observed,” said Mr. Borodai, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, adding that the agreement was violated first by government troops.
No further talks with Kiev were planned, he said.No further talks with Kiev were planned, he said.
“I don’t see the possibility for us to continue the discussion,” Mr. Borodai said, adding that the achievements of the negotiators “had no practical meaning.”“I don’t see the possibility for us to continue the discussion,” Mr. Borodai said, adding that the achievements of the negotiators “had no practical meaning.”
Mr. Borodai also confirmed that the rebels had acquired heavier arms and artillery, including tanks and howitzers, which he said had been captured from the Ukrainian military. He did not say how many tanks the rebels had.Mr. Borodai also confirmed that the rebels had acquired heavier arms and artillery, including tanks and howitzers, which he said had been captured from the Ukrainian military. He did not say how many tanks the rebels had.
Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of arming the rebel forces.Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of arming the rebel forces.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry began a news conference at NATO in Brussels by calling for Mr. Putin “to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across the border.”On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry began a news conference at NATO in Brussels by calling for Mr. Putin “to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across the border.”
Mr. Kerry said that the missile launcher that brought down the helicopter on Tuesday was Russian-made and urged Mr. Putin to call for separatist forces to lay down their arms.Mr. Kerry said that the missile launcher that brought down the helicopter on Tuesday was Russian-made and urged Mr. Putin to call for separatist forces to lay down their arms.
A senior administration official said Friday that several tanks under rebel possession had come from Russia.A senior administration official said Friday that several tanks under rebel possession had come from Russia.
The Obama administration has drawn up plans to escalate sanctions against Russia if it does not back the current peace plan by halting the flow of weapons and fighters across the Russian border. The sanctions could target some of Russia’s largest banks, or energy and defense firms.The Obama administration has drawn up plans to escalate sanctions against Russia if it does not back the current peace plan by halting the flow of weapons and fighters across the Russian border. The sanctions could target some of Russia’s largest banks, or energy and defense firms.
The Kremlin on Wednesday said that during the phone call with Mr. Putin and the other leaders, “confidence was expressed” that the vote in the upper house of Parliament to rescind an authorization to use Russian troops in Ukraine would “help de-escalate the situation.”The Kremlin on Wednesday said that during the phone call with Mr. Putin and the other leaders, “confidence was expressed” that the vote in the upper house of Parliament to rescind an authorization to use Russian troops in Ukraine would “help de-escalate the situation.”
The vote by the Federation Council, which took place on Wednesday, was largely symbolic, because Mr. Putin could order urgent military action at his discretion and because the Parliament would very likely restore authority at his request.The vote by the Federation Council, which took place on Wednesday, was largely symbolic, because Mr. Putin could order urgent military action at his discretion and because the Parliament would very likely restore authority at his request.
The Federation Council voted 153 to 1 to cancel its resolution of March 1 allowing Mr. Putin to send Russian troops to Ukraine.The Federation Council voted 153 to 1 to cancel its resolution of March 1 allowing Mr. Putin to send Russian troops to Ukraine.
Mr. Poroshenko called the vote “a positive signal,” but called on Russia for “tangible actions,” according to a statement released by his office.Mr. Poroshenko called the vote “a positive signal,” but called on Russia for “tangible actions,” according to a statement released by his office.
Mr. Poroshenko’s office emphasized a different part of the phone call, noting that he had told his counterparts of 52 cases of violations of the cease-fire by militants in east Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 18 people since June 20.Mr. Poroshenko’s office emphasized a different part of the phone call, noting that he had told his counterparts of 52 cases of violations of the cease-fire by militants in east Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 18 people since June 20.
In a speech on Wednesday, Mr. Poroshenko hinted at the controversy that the talks in Donetsk had caused.In a speech on Wednesday, Mr. Poroshenko hinted at the controversy that the talks in Donetsk had caused.
Previously, Mr. Poroshenko’s administration had said he would not speak with “terrorists,” a term often used by the government for the separatists.Previously, Mr. Poroshenko’s administration had said he would not speak with “terrorists,” a term often used by the government for the separatists.
“I know that the fact of such consultations has been perceived controversially by the public,” Mr. Poroshenko said. “The so-called hawks demand rapid and severe military actions. Others demand large-scale compromises to avoid war. I will answer both parties: Our goal is not war.”“I know that the fact of such consultations has been perceived controversially by the public,” Mr. Poroshenko said. “The so-called hawks demand rapid and severe military actions. Others demand large-scale compromises to avoid war. I will answer both parties: Our goal is not war.”
“Our goal is peace,” he continued. “But I would like to emphasize: peace not for any price and under any conditions.”“Our goal is peace,” he continued. “But I would like to emphasize: peace not for any price and under any conditions.”