E. Ukraine militia ‘ready to withdraw’ heavy artillery from separation line

The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics are ready to pull back heavy artillery from the line separating militia-held territories from those under Kiev’s control in compliance with the Minsk agreement, according to a joint statement made by top officials of the republics on Friday. The statement said they will withdraw weapons if Kiev is ready to do to the same, adding that the only thing remaining is to“set the date.” The statement was made during talks between Denis Pushilin and Vladislav Deynego, the Donbass representatives at the Minsk negotiations. The Minsk document adopted by Kiev and the opposition in September also includes a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.