Ukraine President Concedes That There Is No Military Solution To The Crisis. Is Now Looking For A Political Solution

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko holds a news conference at the European Council headquarters during an EU summit in Brussels August 30, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Laurent Dubrule

Ukraine's Leader Sees No Military Solution Of Crisis, Eyes Reforms -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Ukraine's president said on Friday there could be no military solution to his country's crisis and said he hoped "a very fragile" ceasefire in the east would hold, allowing him to focus on rebuilding the shattered economy.

Petro Poroshenko also said a new wave of European Union sanctions against Russia underlined Western solidarity with Kiev, and that the Ukrainian and EU parliaments could both ratify a deal on closer economic and political ties on Sept. 16.

Ukrainian forces have been battling pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for five months in a conflict in which more than 3,000 people have been killed. The two sides have been broadly observing a ceasefire since last Friday, despite sporadic violations.

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More News On The Crisis In Ukraine

Ukraine truce deal: The 12-point plan -- BBC
I'm optimistic about Ukraine peace deal, says Petro Poroshenko -- The Telegraph
Kyiv cautiously optimistic about peace initiatives -- SE Times
EU would be safer with Ukraine as member, says Ukrainian president -- The Guardian
OSCE says will use drones along Russia-Ukraine border -- Global Post/AFP

Life In Eastern Ukraine Returns To Something Like Normalcy -- NPR

Ukraine, Rebels Trade 67 Prisoners in Peace Deal -- AP
37 Ukrainian Troops Released In Exchange For Ukrainian Rebels In Donetsk -- RTT
Official Kiev turns over six more POWs to Ukrainian self-defense forces - ITAR-TASS

Armoured Russian vehicle seen inside Ukraine -- The Guardian
Ukraine says Russia withdrawing forces from east, sees boost for peace -- Reuters
Russia stops withdrawing its troops from Ukraine - NSDC -- Interfax - Ukraine
‘Nonsense!’ Moscow mocks Kiev’s ‘intelligence’ on killed Russian troops in Ukraine -- RT

A Torture Survivor on Ukraine's Tortured Ceasefire -- Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast
Putin holds key to Ukraine peace but keeps world guessing -- Timothy Heritage, Reuters
Why the Ukraine ceasefire may not hold -- Derek Frasier, The Globe and Mail