Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and a representative from the eastern rebels both signed a ceasefire deal earlier today, with fighting scheduled to stop at 11 AM eastern time.
It didn’t really take that long, as news of the ceasefire saw combat steadily tapering down in the hours leading to the official end of hostilities. Some Ukrainian troops claimed not to have received orders even by 11 AM, but fighting seems to have more or less stopped.
The ceasefire is set to give way to a prisoner exchange between the two sides over the weekend, and future talks on increased autonomy for the eastern region. The deal will also allow Russian to be used as an official language in the east once again. The primary language of many easterners, its banning after the regime change earlier this year was a big part of the revolt.
NATO officials issued statements on the ceasefire, insisting they remain “skeptical” of the pact, which comes only a day after they’d pledged $19 million in aid to Ukraine to continue the war.
This is a news telling the world that people struggle is the people's power where no power even that Danish Rattmusesen, right wing Danish Neo fascism, the head of NATO can stop.
Unfortunately, there's no calm in the East yet. Ukrainian army continues shelling of Donetsk.
They're trying to 'break out' of Mariupol, too … going east.
Unfortunately, the facts in the article are wrong, since spoken russian was never banned. The Russian propaganda may have led people to believe this, but then again, people believe what they want to.
There have been plenty of racist pogroms directed at Eastern Ukrainians in addition to daily shelling of civilian areas by Ukrainian ultra nationalist forces.
There's an obvious issue with calling item x one's opponent's propaganda. E.g., heretofore, I will be referring to any comments to the effect that I smell funny as loose talk from disgruntled employees, and the notion that the sky is blue as just more crazy assertions from the Red Chinese. If it wasn't banned, one reason would be that Kiev never controlled the area. But, just wondering where you're getting this from?
@Jeremy: There is a big difference between banning "Russian as an official language" as stated in the article above and, as you assert, "banning spoken Russian." Perhaps you misread the article…
From 2009: Russian language is banned at schools in Ukraine http://www.itsukraine.com/russian-language-is-ban…
"In the name of resisting “Russian aggression,” for the first time in post-Soviet Ukrainian history, mass political parties have been banned from parliament, legislation is being introduced that would prevent whole categories of civil servants from ever again participating in public life, foreign television broadcasts are jammed, and the Ukrainian media is now subject to legislation that makes it a violation of national security to say anything, or even to show pictures, that might undermine the war effort."
"Given the historical absence in Ukraine of classically liberal parties and politicians, and the gutting of institutional and judicial constraints on abuse of power, nationalist rhetoric has become the mainstream in Ukrainian politics. Moreover, it has become a handy tool for suppressing criticism of the current government. Thus, Prime Minister Yatseniuk recently suggested that anyone opposed to the draconian hikes in utilities fees must be an agent of the Russian security services. Even Maidan activists are not immune from accusations of being paid Russian agents."
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/eastern-ukrai…
Ukrainians have as many civil liberties now as North Koreans, and no more.
i like the new Ukrainian characteristic of forming posses to stop politicians you don't like in the street and kicking the crap out of them. It's new, and manly, and would do Washington no end of good.
As a matter of fact while spoken Russian is still permitted, written Russian is no longer acceptable in any Ukrainian governmental institution including the courts and the Rada nor will russian any longer be taught in Ukrainian schools. No big whoop in the only "100 percent bilingual nation on earth" (according to Kyiv), but if you've had that 'privilege' before, a 'special law' to remove it can be upsetting.
Since then a 'declaration of war on terrorists' and references to the 'need' to 'liquidate' some people in the east (Mr. Poroshenko's inaugural speech to the Rada) might have led some people to over-react. The subsequent up-tick in 'government' -sponsored military action – shelling and massive destruction could have pushed them over the edge.
Ya think?
Another great job for peace by Vlad. Putin. May God bless and keep him safe. I hope the his work for peace continues.
You don't know how right you are. Sometimes even a fart can be musical.
http://my.firedoglake.com/fairleft/2014/02/25/ukr…
Only Jeremy provides no facts or links to back his claims up. He just spreads mindless Western Propaganda. Troll.
My friend from Kharkov, a Russian-speaking ethnic Ukrainian, never mentioned the use of Russian being banned, so I suspect that that information is inaccurate. The "rebels" could be using a false claim that they obtained a "concession" to cover what is in fact unconditional surrender. By the looks of things, Putin has finally capitulated and his latest idocy in Estonia tends to confirm that.
Ask your friend again.
The banning of Russian for official use was widely reported at the time, although the MSM quickly got the word to drop it. It was the "end-zone dance" of Svoboda and Pravy Sektor at the culmination of the coup. In your faces, Russians, get used to officially being second-class citizens. I'm going to guess that one step had more to do with creating the eastern rebellion than any other factor, as much for what it implied as for what it did..
Maybe we should banned Arabic in the Middle East and replaced it with the language of the invaders.
NOBODY said all use of Russian was banned. The Kiev government removed it from the schools and government departments, so that Russian kids could not be educated in their home language. It would be like the US annexing Mexico and enforcing English only in the schools and courts. Of course, we already did that in 1848.
The neocons must be mad that they missed another chance for war and to get even for the pogroms. Oh well? Better luck next time.
"What a revolting development this turned out to be" (from Chester Riley). The neocons used a lot of American money to start a war and the parties soon declare a truce. What happened? What the neocons forgot was that the two parties have to really hate each other to keep a war going. Being as the neocons hate everyone else all of the time, it is easy to see them overlooking the fact that the Ukrainians and the Russian don't have the same hatred for each as say, the neocons have for the Arabs.
The EU/Nato coven said a mouthful there. It really shows their intentions.
God almighty, I cant believe that they are even contemplating war with Russia.They dont have any thought of the millions of europeans that are going to be slaughtered. by their actions.
Sad to see so many readers of Antiwar.com are so sadly misinformed. Maybe some of the President's'hopefulness' is 'rubbing off'.
Did it not make anyone wonder why Petro Poroshenko was a guest of honor in Wales? Not waiting outside in the foyer …. inside at the head table. They even had a mike with "Ukraine" under it for him – just like real NATO members.
Saarkaashvili, of Georgia, didn't get that honor – even though he festooned the royal palace in Slobesvecchnya with NATO banner and EU bunting, while the Oklahoma National Guard observed Putin's goons kick the snot out of gallant little Georgia OFFICIALLY!.
Porko made all the right noises in his folksy eastern european way – he actually speaks english with a distinct Bronx accent when he's at home – about peacefulness and love and territorial integrity. While he llned-up some lend lease drones, guided munitions and a double rasher of body armor and ballistic helmets.
The ceasefire is a much needed breathing space to remove some ATO units from imminent destruction, to reinforce and resupply the 'drang nach osten' in the hope of 'doing the seps' before the snow flies.
He was visiting Mariupol to-day, another National Guard unit and the UA special forces arrived there to aid the 'besieged' AZOV battalion, yesterday. I bet he's not 'talking peace' with them. They'll attack east as soon as he leaves.
NATO is soooo has been. Let them wrap themselves in their worthless dollars and be buried.