"We are not considering remaining part of Ukraine," Andrei Purgin, the deputy prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, told AFP.
Here's an update from our news desk:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he will submit a bill next week to grant "special status" to areas in eastern Ukraine but that the country will remain united.
Poroshenko told a televised government meeting today that a peace accord signed with pro-Russian separatists last week preserves the concept of Ukraine as a sovereign, united country within its current borders.
He said a cease-fire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists who hold parts of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions has been difficult to maintain, saying "the terrorists are trying all the time to provoke" their opponents.
Poroshenko said government forces were "regrouping" in eastern Ukraine to reinforce defense, not for a new offensive.
He said he did not rule out introducing a "special regime" in areas adjacent to the military operations zone.
(Reuters, Interfax)
From ITAR-TASS:
Russian and Ukrainian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Petr Poroshenko are satisfied that a cease-fire is holding in eastern Ukraine, an aide to the Russian leader said on Wednesday.
Yuri Ushakov said that Putin and Poroshenko had discussed the issue on the phone on Tuesday.
"However, both sides understand that the process is complicated and is not absolutely smooth," Ushakov said.
He added that the phone conversation of the two leaders was "interesting and substantial" and focused on the developments in eastern Ukraine.
From our newsroom:
President Poroshenko has signed a law allowing the government to impose sanctions on Russian companies and individuals suspected of supporting and financing separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. It was passed by parliament last month.
The legislation allows for more than 20 types of sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, restrictions on trade, the transit of resources, and transportation of goods across Ukraine.
It does not specifically impose sanctions, but provides a legal foundation for them. Specific sanctions will have to be approved by the National Security and Defense Council.
The government has drawn up a list of 172 citizens of Russia and other countries, and of 65 Russian companies, which could be targeted by sanctions. The list has not been made public.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
