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Ukraine peace talks due as shelling continues Nato agrees on new force amid Ukraine crisis
(35 minutes later)
Talks on a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine are set to begin, but more clashes are being reported on the edge of the key city of Mariupol. The Nato military alliance has agreed on the formation of a rapid reaction force to meet new challenges.
Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russia rebels are due to start afternoon talks in Belarus. Nato leaders agreed the move at their summit in Wales as the alliance faces a number of crises, including Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Western countries are preparing to announce a tightening of sanctions on Russia. Talks on a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine have begun, but more clashes are reported close to the city of Mariupol.
They are attending the second day of a Nato summit in Newport, Wales. Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russia rebels are attending the talks in Belarus, while Western countries ponder further sanctions on Russia.
The West accuses Russia of sending arms and troops to back the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies this.The West accuses Russia of sending arms and troops to back the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies this.
More than 2,600 people have died during the five-month conflict.More than 2,600 people have died during the five-month conflict.
The enhanced sanctions are expected to target Russian banking, energy and defence, as well as what British sources call "Putin cronies".The enhanced sanctions are expected to target Russian banking, energy and defence, as well as what British sources call "Putin cronies".
But the UK says the sanctions will probably go ahead whether or not a ceasefire is agreed at the talks in the Belarus capital, Minsk.But the UK says the sanctions will probably go ahead whether or not a ceasefire is agreed at the talks in the Belarus capital, Minsk.
"There is a great degree of scepticism about whether this action will materialise, whether the ceasefire will be real," UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said."There is a great degree of scepticism about whether this action will materialise, whether the ceasefire will be real," UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said.
"We can always take the sanctions off afterwards. I don't think we want to be distracted from our determination to impose further sanctions in response to Russia's major military adventure into Ukraine by these noises off about a possible ceasefire.""We can always take the sanctions off afterwards. I don't think we want to be distracted from our determination to impose further sanctions in response to Russia's major military adventure into Ukraine by these noises off about a possible ceasefire."
President Poroshenko on Thursday confirmed that there was a chance that a peace deal could be signed in Minsk later on Friday, leading to a ceasefire within hours. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told the BBC he was "absolutely not confident" that peace could be achieved at the Minsk talks but "Ukraine as a state and me as Ukrainian leader are doing everything possible to have peace."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also expressed hope that a deal can be agreed. A continuation of the conflict would lead to "humanitarian catastrophe", he said.
But Mr Poroshenko and the rebels have been cautious about the chances of success. On Wednesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced a seven-point plan, including a halt to "active offensive operations" by the Ukrainian military and pro-Russia rebels, international ceasefire monitoring, unconditional prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid corridors.
On Wednesday, Mr Putin announced a seven-point plan, including a halt to "active offensive operations" by the Ukrainian military and pro-Russia rebels, international ceasefire monitoring, unconditional prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid corridors. 'Turbulent times'
At the Nato summit, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the new force - part of Nato's "Readiness Action Plan" - would number several thousand and would be able to deploy anywhere in the world in a matter of days.
"In these turbulent times, Nato must be prepared to undertake the full range of missions and protect allies against the full range of threats," he said.
"Nato protects all allies at all times....should you even think of attacking one ally you will be facing the whole alliance."
The UK has offered to contribute 1,000 personnel to the new force, which will have naval, air and special forces capability.
Mariupol shellingMariupol shelling
The fighting in eastern Ukraine continues however.The fighting in eastern Ukraine continues however.
Ukrainian government forces and volunteers are trying to hold on to Mariupol on the Azov Sea. The BBC's Fergal Keane, in Mariupol, tweeted that pro-Russia forces seemed to be hitting Ukrainian positions some 4km (2.5 miles) outside the city.Ukrainian government forces and volunteers are trying to hold on to Mariupol on the Azov Sea. The BBC's Fergal Keane, in Mariupol, tweeted that pro-Russia forces seemed to be hitting Ukrainian positions some 4km (2.5 miles) outside the city.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen as Ukrainian artillery fired back, he says. Ukrainian fighter jets also hit rebel positions.Large plumes of smoke could be seen as Ukrainian artillery fired back, he says. Ukrainian fighter jets also hit rebel positions.
War in eastern Ukraine: The human costWar in eastern Ukraine: The human cost
Richard Galpin reports from war-weary DonetskRichard Galpin reports from war-weary Donetsk
Ukrainian government forces have recently suffered losses of territory in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around Mariupol, which lies between Russia and Crimea - annexed in March by Russia.Ukrainian government forces have recently suffered losses of territory in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around Mariupol, which lies between Russia and Crimea - annexed in March by Russia.
Gunfire and shelling was also heard on Friday in Donetsk, the rebels' main base.Gunfire and shelling was also heard on Friday in Donetsk, the rebels' main base.
Volunteers with Ukraine's "Azov" battalion said they had begun a counter-offensive towards the rebel-held town of Novoazovsk, though this could not be independently confirmed.Volunteers with Ukraine's "Azov" battalion said they had begun a counter-offensive towards the rebel-held town of Novoazovsk, though this could not be independently confirmed.
IS threat
As part of Nato's response to what it sees as multiple challenges, the alliance has been discussing a Readiness Action Plan, enabling the rapid deployment of forces to trouble spots.
At the summit in Wales, the UK officials said Britain was ready to contribute 1,000 personnel to Nato's planned rapid reaction force, able to deploy anywhere within 48 hours. A higher figure of 3,500 for Britain's contribution given by the government was later corrected.
Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence and diplomatic correspondentAnalysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence and diplomatic correspondent
Nato's new Readiness Action Plan is the practical military response to the growing threats from around Nato's borders; not just from a resurgent Russia but also from the growing tide of instability in the Middle East.Nato's new Readiness Action Plan is the practical military response to the growing threats from around Nato's borders; not just from a resurgent Russia but also from the growing tide of instability in the Middle East.
It is all about being able to get more capable forces to areas of threat faster than ever before.It is all about being able to get more capable forces to areas of threat faster than ever before.
Existing rapid reaction forces will be re-vamped. A multi-national "spearhead" force with air, sea and land elements is to be established, capable of reinforcing a Nato ally within 48 hours.Existing rapid reaction forces will be re-vamped. A multi-national "spearhead" force with air, sea and land elements is to be established, capable of reinforcing a Nato ally within 48 hours.
This will require some headquarters, logistics and other elements to be established in eastern Europe and some supplies will need to be pre-positioned.This will require some headquarters, logistics and other elements to be established in eastern Europe and some supplies will need to be pre-positioned.
These reinforcement plans will also be extensively rehearsed through a stepped up pattern of exercises.These reinforcement plans will also be extensively rehearsed through a stepped up pattern of exercises.
Intelligence gathering and analysis will be stepped up to give Nato planners a greater awareness of what is going on around the alliance's borders.Intelligence gathering and analysis will be stepped up to give Nato planners a greater awareness of what is going on around the alliance's borders.
Nato leaders are also discussing the growing threat of Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.Nato leaders are also discussing the growing threat of Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.
An IS video released on Tuesday showed the killing of US journalist Steven Sotloff, just days after the group beheaded another American reporter, James Foley.An IS video released on Tuesday showed the killing of US journalist Steven Sotloff, just days after the group beheaded another American reporter, James Foley.
In the latest video, an IS militant is seen threatening to kill a UK hostage, aid worker David Haines, who was seized in March 2013 in Syria's Idlib province.In the latest video, an IS militant is seen threatening to kill a UK hostage, aid worker David Haines, who was seized in March 2013 in Syria's Idlib province.
Mr Rasmussen said Nato had pledged "seriously" to examine any plea by Iraq to fight IS militants.Mr Rasmussen said Nato had pledged "seriously" to examine any plea by Iraq to fight IS militants.
Mr Cameron said the UK was deciding whether to arm the Kurds.Mr Cameron said the UK was deciding whether to arm the Kurds.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? Has the recent violence affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in eastern Ukraine? Has the recent violence affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.