Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited the eastern port city of Mariupol on Monday and attempted to reassure his compatriots by promising a “crushing defeat” to pro-Kremlin rebels gathered nearby if they violated a precarious cease-fire agreement.
Poroshenko received a warm welcome and declared that the rebels had returned over 1,200 prisoners of war to Ukraine as per the cease-fire terms, Reuters reports.
“I have ordered [my armed forces] to secure the defense of Mariupol with howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, tanks, antitank weapons and air cover,” he told the gathered crowd.
The cease-fire, which began on Friday evening, has largely held and provided some …read more
Source: Time