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MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin is dismissing the peace plan being put forward today by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
He ordered his forces to cease fire and to stop military operations for a week against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine. The week-long cease-fire is just a first step -- and the Ukrainian leader wants it to be followed by joint security patrols, and new local and parliamentary elections.
Russia says the plan looks like an ultimatum -- and that it contains no offer of talks with the insurgents.
Poroshenko, who spoke during his first trip as president to eastern Ukraine, said troops will still fire back if separatists attack them or civilians.
Rebel leaders have previously dismissed Poroshenko's plan, and it remains to be seen to what extent they will comply -- or how much pressure Russia will put on them to hold their fire as well.
The White House and European leaders are urging support for the plan. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the administration wants Russia to support peace, and to stop supporting the militants in Ukraine.
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APPHOTO MOSB113: A man is taken to a medical tent in a camp for refugees from the conflict in Ukraine's east on the border with Ukraine in the town of Donetsk in Rostov-on-Don region, Russia, Friday, June 20, 2014. Clashes between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia rebels flared ahead of the publication of a presidential peace plan that includes a unilateral cease-fire. (AP Photo/Sergey Pivovarov) (20 Jun 2014)
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