In a move that is something of a surprise, the UN Security Council today unanimously approved a Russian resolution calling for an endorsement of the new ceasefire in Ukraine.
The resolution calls for a “total ceasefire” and a political solution to the ongoing eastern Ukraine civil war. This is identical to the calls in the Minsk ceasefire deal.
The unanimity is surprising because both Britain and the United States, permanent Security Council members, were harshly critical of the Minsk talks, and have both opposed the idea of a negotiated settlement in Ukraine, demanding the rebels unilaterally surrender.
The ceasefire was reached with help from Russia, Germany, and France, and went into effect over the weekend. It is mostly holding nationwide, though fighting has been reported in the contested town of Debaltseve.
That’s what I always say
If the rebels should go all the way, capture the State Capital in Kiev and bring back the exiled President, then all those who joined in the fascist coup should be exiled from Ukraine for life.
Feb 17, 2015 Inside Rebel-Held Uglegorsk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 94)
Despite the recent Minsk peace agreement, fighting is continuing in eastern Ukraine, with pro-Russia separatists (DNR) and Ukrainian forces engaging in combat around the town of Debaltseve, which was encircled by the DNR. The nearby town of Uglegorsk, which was captured by the rebels during their push towards Debaltseve last week, has been battered by artillery shelling, with the nearly deserted streets bearing the scars of fierce fighting.
http://youtu.be/UCtzrLLWL0M