Poroshenko informs Merkel of ceasefire violations in E. Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, informing her about violations of the ceasefire established earlier this month, the presidential press service said on Friday.

During the talks, Poroshenko said that despite the truce, independence-seeking insurgents continue armed provocations against government forces, sometimes with the use of heavy weapons, the press service said in a statement.

The two leaders have also discussed the progress in a prisoner exchange between the conflicting parties, underlining the importance of liberating all those being held hostage, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said that in the past 24 hours one Ukrainian soldier was killed in an insurgent attack on government forces. It marked the first combat death in the conflict since the start of the new ceasefire.

Besides, two other Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the attacks, Lysenko added.

Rebels have not commented on their casualties. Meanwhile, the insurgent-run DAN news agency blamed the Ukrainian army for stirring the violence, saying that in the past day, the rebel forces came under several mortar attacks.

The conflicting parties in eastern Ukraine have renewed their commitments to a comprehensive ceasefire starting Sept. 1, in a latest attempt to put an end to the 29-month-old conflict that has killed more than 9,500 people. Endit