Hopes for Ukraine ceasefire grow as Petro Poroshenko meets Nato leaders
While alliance membership is not on the cards, summit expected to give Poroshenko a show of support and an increase in non-lethal military aid
MOSCOW - Ukraine and the pro-Russian separatists appeared close to signing a deal to end four months of fighting, even as Ukraine's leader met yesterday with President Barack Obama and other Nato leaders in Wales.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was ready to order a ceasefire in the east today if a peace deal was signed at talks in Minsk, Belarus. The rebels also said they were ready to declare a truce if an agreement with Ukraine was reached on a political settlement for the mostly Russian-speaking region.
Watch: Poroshenko says Ukraine ceasefire plan to be signed Friday
Poroshenko discussed the outlines of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, and they both voiced optimism about reaching an agreement in Minsk.
Meanwhile yesterday, Nato leaders gathered for a two-day summit at a golf resort in southern Wales.
Before the official proceedings began, Poroshenko attended a meeting with Obama and the leaders of Nato's four major European powers: British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.