Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko has reportedly said he will offer a unilateral cease-fire in order to give pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country the chance to lay down their weapons or leave the country.
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Wednesday that Poroshenko disclosed the proposal during a visit to an army academy in Kiev, saying 'The plan will begin with my order for a unilateral cease-fire.' He added that 'shortly afterward the plan will receive support from the other participants.'
The report comes after Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a cease-fire in a telephone call Tuesday.
A spokesman for Poroshenko told the BBC that a cease-fire may be announced in 'hours or days,' but did not give further specifics.
Separatists have seized government buildings, held disputed referendums and declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions along Ukraine's eastern border with Russia. Ukrainian troops have struggled to suppress the insurgents, who on Saturday shot down a military transport plane, killing all 49 on board. Authorities say more than 300 people have died in fighting.
Poroshenko was elected last month after a protest movement drove his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, from office in February.
In his inaugural address June 7, Poroshenko said he was willing to negotiate with people in the region, but not with 'terrorists' with 'blood on their hands.' He proposed an amnesty for separatists, early regional elections and new efforts to create jobs in the area.
news3blog.blogspot.com contributed to this report.
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