Ukraine conflict: Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers

President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine called on the 18 February 2015 for UN and EU peacekeepers to be deployed to eastern Ukraine to enforce the ceasefire agreed on the 12 February 2015.

His comments were made in the context of a defeat for Ukrainian troops were forced to withdraw from the strategic city of Debaltseve after intense fighting with rebel forces.

Deutsche Welle reported that Russia and the pro-Russian separatists rejected the call for a UN involvement. However, Sputnik International reported an official of the the east Ukrainian self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic as saying they would accept the proposal.

EurActiv reported on 19 February 2015 that Russia had started supplying gas to the Eastern region of Ukraine, after Ukrainian authorities suspended supplies because of damage to the networks from heavy fighting.

• Primary Source

Ukraine: News: Current events, 18.02.15: The NSDC chaired by the President has made a decision to invite the UN peacekeeping mission to Ukraine http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/rnbo-na-choli-z-prezidentom-prijnyala-rishennya-pro-zaproshe-34760

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.15: Moscow, separatists reject Kyiv's call for peacekeepers http://dw.de/p/1EeNW

ESO: Background information: First day of Ukraine ceasefire deal still sees fighting http://www.europeansources.info/record/first-day-of-ukraine-ceasefire-deal-still-sees-fighting/

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

Sputnik International, 19.02.15: Kiev’s Plans to Deploy Peacekeepers Cast Doubt on Minsk Deal - UN Envoy http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150219/1018460073.html

EurActiv, 19.02.15: Ukraine calls for UN peacekeepers to enforce truce http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/ukraine-calls-un-peacekeepers-enforce-truce-312254

EUObserver, 19.02.15: Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers https://euobserver.com/foreign/127712

The Guardian, 19.02.15: New attempt to enforce Ukraine ceasefire http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/19/putin-poroshenko-merkel-hollande-new-push-ukraine-ceasefire

BBC News, 19.02.15: Russia accuses Ukraine of aiming to destroy Minsk accords http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31530252

Euronews, 19.02.15: Poroshenko gets backing of Ukraine’s security council as he calls for UN peacekeepers http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/19/poroshenko-gets-backing-of-ukraine-s-security-council-as-he-calls-for-un-/

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 19.02.15: Poroshenko wants UN mission in eastern Ukraine http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER158675-Poroshenko-wants-UN-mission-in-eastern-Ukraine

EurActiv, 19.02.15: Russia starts supplying gas to eastern Ukraine ‘as humanitarian aid’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/russia-starts-supplying-gas-eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-aid-312271

The Conversation, 19.02.15: Whether Minsk deal holds or not, Ukraine has time to save itself https://theconversation.com/whether-minsk-deal-holds-or-not-ukraine-has-time-to-save-itself-37780

Ukraine: News: Current events, 19.02.15: Ukraine considers the EU mission the best option of peacekeeping operation in Donbas – President at the meeting with European Commissioner Hahn http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/ukrayina-vvazhaye-misiyu-yes-najkrashim-variantom-mirotvorch-34765

OSCE: Newsroom: News and press releases, 19.02.15: Ukraine faces critical moment, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Dačić http://www.osce.org/cio/141876

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.15: EU police as peacekeepers in Ukraine? http://dw.de/p/1EeqH

Council of the European Union: Statement by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk on the situation in Ukraine http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/02/150220-statement-tusk-ukraine/

Deutsche Welle, 02.03.15: Ukraine in appeal for international peacekeeping force http://dw.de/p/1Ejvc

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