BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- In eastern Ukraine, despite a ceasefire deal, government forces and pro-Russian rebels said they would not pull back heavy weapons.
A Ukrainian military spokesman says rebels are fighting for control of a rail station in the town of Debaltseve, a strategic transport hub. But he says Ukrainian troops are still in control of the station. Fighting is also taking place on the outskirts of the town.
Fighting has eased in many areas since a ceasefire came into force on Sunday, but the rebels have refused to halt attacks on Debaltseve, where they say Ukrainian forces are surrounded. Kiev says it will not pull back its heavy weapons until the truce holds.
Ukraine's military reiterated on Tuesday that its forces are ready for a mutual withdrawal, but they will not do anything unilaterally. The rebels said soon after the ceasefire came into effect that they had no intention of observing it in Debaltseve, which they have been attacking since January.
(Source: CNTV.com)
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