Ukraine announces the beginning of the withdrawal of heavy weapons in the East

The Staff of the Kiev military said it was the guns of 100 mm from the line in accordance with the agreements Minsk 2 of 12 February.

A first step towards the withdrawal of heavy weapons that will be under the supervision of the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. A representative of Ukraine made a point about the situation: "what we have seen is a calmer same situation if there are still a number of violations of the cease-fire with fire rocket launchers, artillery or more small arms fire, "said Michael Bociurkiw.

Kiev also announced that none of its soldiers had been killed for the second consecutive day.

In fact on the ground, the cease-fire established from February 15 seems to finally hold. Near Donetsk, separatists also claims to have begun a withdrawal of heavy weapons, but the OSCE was not able to confirm this.

For his part, Lavrov did not like the accusations of Westerners on the role of Russia. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly responded: "There is no ideal cease-fire, but after all, the truce showed results and do not be ridiculous demands. The United States and the European Union are uncooperative by calling the judgment of the rebels. "

After the strategic decision Debaltseve last week, the possible conquest of Mariupol would be a key step to build a land bridge between Russia and the Crimea under Russian authority.