Things looking up in Ukraine (for the moment)

[Bob Of Burleson]

Separatists say ready to extend
ceasefire in eastern Ukraine

By Aleksandar Vasovic

DONETSK, Ukraine — (Reuters) - Pro-Russian separatist leaders voiced willingness to extend a shaky ceasefire in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east on Friday, after releasing four out of eight international observers captured over a month ago, in an apparent goodwill gesture.

The ceasefire between the rebels and the government, set to expire later on Friday, has been marred by violations, including the death of five Ukrainian servicemen in overnight clashes and the downing of a military helicopter earlier this week.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who declared the ceasefire as part of a peace plan to end fighting that threatens to dismember the ex-Soviet state, has not yet said whether he will prolong it past Friday's deadline.

He was expected to announce his decision late on Friday after returning to Kiev from Brussels where he signed a landmark free trade pact with the European Union.

The pact has been at the heart of months of upheaval in his country and his signature drew an immediate threat of "grave consequences" from Russia.

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