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Ukraine crisis: US warns Russia as UN backs ceasefire deal Ukraine crisis: US warns Russia as UN backs ceasefire deal
(35 minutes later)
The US has accused Russia of violating the Minsk agreement on Ukraine, as the UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve the ceasefire deal.The US has accused Russia of violating the Minsk agreement on Ukraine, as the UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve the ceasefire deal.
Vice-President Joe Biden said "the costs to Russia will rise" if it continued to violate the accord.Vice-President Joe Biden said "the costs to Russia will rise" if it continued to violate the accord.
Fighting is continuing around the strategic town of Debaltseve, with pro-Russian rebels saying they now control most areas.Fighting is continuing around the strategic town of Debaltseve, with pro-Russian rebels saying they now control most areas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine's troops there to surrender.Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine's troops there to surrender.
'Ironic' 'Stop pretending'
Although the Security Council unanimously approved a Russian-drafted resolution to endorse the ceasefire deal agreed in Minsk, Belarus, last week, angry words were exchanged among ambassadors. Although the Security Council unanimously approved a Russian-drafted resolution to endorse the Minsk ceasefire deal agreed in Belarus last week, angry words were exchanged among ambassadors.
US Ambassador Samantha Power said she "wholeheartedly welcomes this agreement" but said that Russia had to prove its commitment to peace. US Ambassador Samantha Power welcomed the agreement but said that Russia had to prove its commitment to peace.
She said: "Stop arming the separatists. Stop sending hundreds of heavy weapons across the border in addition to your troops. Stop pretending you are not doing what you are doing."She said: "Stop arming the separatists. Stop sending hundreds of heavy weapons across the border in addition to your troops. Stop pretending you are not doing what you are doing."
She added: "Russia signs agreements then does everything within its power to undermine them. Russia champions the sovereignty of nations and then acts as if a neighbour's borders do not exist."She added: "Russia signs agreements then does everything within its power to undermine them. Russia champions the sovereignty of nations and then acts as if a neighbour's borders do not exist."
Ms Power said it was "ironic" Russia had drafted the resolution while "backing an all-out assault" in Ukraine.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called her comments "offensive".Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called her comments "offensive".
"Since the very start of the crisis, Russia has actively called for a peaceful settlement through inclusive, transparent dialogue between all sides in the internal Ukrainian conflict," he said."Since the very start of the crisis, Russia has actively called for a peaceful settlement through inclusive, transparent dialogue between all sides in the internal Ukrainian conflict," he said.
After speaking to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Mr Biden said he "strongly condemned the violation of the ceasefire by separatist forces acting in concert with Russian forces, in and around the town of Debaltseve".After speaking to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Mr Biden said he "strongly condemned the violation of the ceasefire by separatist forces acting in concert with Russian forces, in and around the town of Debaltseve".
He added in a statement released by the White House: "If Russia continues to violate the Minsk agreements, including the most recent agreement signed on February 12, the costs to Russia will rise." He added: "If Russia continues to violate the Minsk agreements... the costs to Russia will rise."
Mr Poroshenko described rebel attempts to take the town as a "cynical attack" on the ceasefire.Mr Poroshenko described rebel attempts to take the town as a "cynical attack" on the ceasefire.
International observers monitoring the truce have been unable to enter Debaltseve.International observers monitoring the truce have been unable to enter Debaltseve.
The town has become a key prize for rebels and government forces, as it sits on a strategic railway line linking rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk.The town has become a key prize for rebels and government forces, as it sits on a strategic railway line linking rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk.
Analysis: Paul Adams, BBC News, KramatorskAnalysis: Paul Adams, BBC News, Kramatorsk
The wealth of claim and counter-claim around Debaltseve speaks volumes. It's hard to confirm any of Tuesday's stories.The wealth of claim and counter-claim around Debaltseve speaks volumes. It's hard to confirm any of Tuesday's stories.
Controversy surrounds the fate of dozens of government troops - rebel sources say they surrendered, while the army contends they were captured after running out of ammunition during an ambush.Controversy surrounds the fate of dozens of government troops - rebel sources say they surrendered, while the army contends they were captured after running out of ammunition during an ambush.
The rebels say Debaltseve is not covered by the ceasefire agreement reached last week in Minsk and continue to insist that it's an "internal" matter. Between April and July last year, the town was in rebel hands. It sits astride the railway line linking two rebel strongholds, Donetsk and Luhansk.The rebels say Debaltseve is not covered by the ceasefire agreement reached last week in Minsk and continue to insist that it's an "internal" matter. Between April and July last year, the town was in rebel hands. It sits astride the railway line linking two rebel strongholds, Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ukrainian TV has shown pictures of text messages sent to government soldiers in Debaltseve, allegedly from Russia. "Poroshenko and his generals have betrayed you," the messages read, referring to the Ukrainian president. "There's no need for you to die for them."Ukrainian TV has shown pictures of text messages sent to government soldiers in Debaltseve, allegedly from Russia. "Poroshenko and his generals have betrayed you," the messages read, referring to the Ukrainian president. "There's no need for you to die for them."
Why is conflict so violent?Why is conflict so violent?
Who benefits from ceasefire deal?Who benefits from ceasefire deal?
Explaining the conflict in mapsExplaining the conflict in maps
Mr Putin urged Ukraine to allow its troops there to surrender and said he hoped the rebels would let any captured troops return to their families. Speaking on a visit to Hungary, Mr Putin urged Ukraine to allow its troops there to surrender and said he hoped the rebels would let any captured troops return to their families.
Speaking on a visit to Hungary, Mr Putin said there had been a "significant reduction" in the intensity of combat since the truce came into effect over the weekend. "I hope that the Ukrainian authorities are not going to prevent the Ukrainian soldiers from laying down their weapons."
He said the conflict could not be solved by military means. He said there had been a "significant reduction" in the intensity of combat since the truce came into effect, but added that the fighting in Debaltseve was "understandable and predictable".
"I hope that the Ukrainian authorities are not going to prevent the Ukrainian soldiers from laying down their weapons," he said.
Mr Putin added that the fighting in Debaltseve was "understandable and predictable".
He said he had warned participants in the Minsk talks that - ceasefire or no ceasefire - encircled government troops would try to break free and the rebels would try to prevent this.
Trapped civiliansTrapped civilians
Meanwhile, sources in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Debaltseve police station and railway station had been taken, and at least 80% of the city was under rebel control.Meanwhile, sources in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Debaltseve police station and railway station had been taken, and at least 80% of the city was under rebel control.
According to later reports, the city's military HQ - where many government troops are based - has also been surrounded.According to later reports, the city's military HQ - where many government troops are based - has also been surrounded.
Most of its 25,000 population has been evacuated but about 7,000 civilians are still believed trapped by the fighting.Most of its 25,000 population has been evacuated but about 7,000 civilians are still believed trapped by the fighting.
"One has to be really concerned about what's happening to them right now," said Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"As far as we're aware, they're sort of hiding down in cellars - probably a few thousand people... struggling to get food... a shortage of water, and heavy fighting going on above their heads."
The ceasefire, which came into effect on Sunday, has been broadly observed but separatists insist the agreement does not apply in Debaltseve because they have the town almost surrounded.The ceasefire, which came into effect on Sunday, has been broadly observed but separatists insist the agreement does not apply in Debaltseve because they have the town almost surrounded.
Both sides have also failed to pull back heavy weapons from the front line.Both sides have also failed to pull back heavy weapons from the front line.
The withdrawal was due to start no later than the second day after the truce came into effect and be completed within two weeks, creating buffer zones 50-140km (30-85 miles) wide.The withdrawal was due to start no later than the second day after the truce came into effect and be completed within two weeks, creating buffer zones 50-140km (30-85 miles) wide.
The UN says more than 5,600 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, but there are fears the actual death toll could be much higher. The UN says more than 5,600 people have been killed in the conflict since April, but there are fears the actual death toll could be much higher.
Ukraine's pro-Western government says Russia is supporting the separatists with troops and weapons, but the Kremlin has consistently denied this.
Minsk agreement: Key pointsMinsk agreement: Key points
Do you live in eastern Ukraine or have friends and family in the region? What do you think about the recent developments? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you live in eastern Ukraine or have friends and family in the region? What do you think about the recent developments? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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