Kremlin: Ukraine's ceasefire statement sounds more like ultimatum - Putin orders combat readiness check in Central Military District

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's statement on ceasefire looks more like an ultimatum to the insurgents in Ukraine's southeastern regions, the Kremlin press service said Friday.

"A primary analysis shows that this is not an invitation to peace and talks, but an ultimatum to Ukraine's southeastern militias to lay down arms," the press service added, "it lacks a key element - a proposal to start talks."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday announced a week- long ceasefire in the conflict against pro-Russia insurgents in the eastern country, which will start from 10 p.m. local time ( 2000 GMT) on June 20 to 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) next Friday.

• "In case of an armed attack made on Ukrainian units or civilians, the military will fire back," the statement posted on the presidential website said.

Poroshenko also outlined his peace plan on how to settle the situation in the eastern country during the telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, the Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. But he denied earlier reports on Moscow welcoming the plan, saying that it's too early to speak about Russia's support. 
[Xinhua]
21/6/14
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• Russian President and Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces Vladimir Putin on Saturday decided to hold a surprise comprehensive inspection of combat readiness of the entire Central Military District’s personnel, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said.

“From 11:00 Moscow Time [07:00 GMT], the troops of the Central Military District, as well as formations and military units on its territory, are placed on full combat alert,” the defense minister said at a meeting in his minstry, adding that the check will last until June 28.
He said the president set the task to inspect the troops’ time standards and ability to fulfill combat readiness posture tasks. Later on, the troops will be taken to training ranges for exercises.
The minister said the inspection is designed to practice troops movement for long distances, deployment of control systems and materiel support and other exercises.

• At the Defense Ministry meeting, Shoygu ordered Russian Airborne Troops Commander Vladimir Shamanov to airlift the 98th Airborne Division to a distance of 1,500 kilometers - from the Ivanovo Region in central Russia to the Chelyabinsk Region in the Urals.

• The redeployment will be carried out by military transport aviation. In the Chelyabinsk Region, the division will land at the Chebarkul range.

Shoygu also gave instructions to notify military attaches of foreign states of the surprise complex combat readiness inspection.
“Troops are to return to permanent bases by July 1,” the minister ordered.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/737193
21/6/14
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