Russia, Ukraine Distance Themselves From News Of A Cease-Fire Deal

The morning started on a hopeful note: The office of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the two had agreed on a "permanent cease-fire."But that was short-lived. As the state-funded Russia Today reports, the Russians quickly pointed out that they had reached no such agreement, because "Russia is not party to Ukraine conflict."That, the Kiev Post reports, was followed by a partial walk-back from Ukraine. The Post explains: "In a revised statement, Poroshenko's press service said that such an agreement was reached over the phone. The original statement indicated a 'permanent' ceasefire agreement was reached for Ukraine's east, but made no details available. Later the word 'permanent' was removed. "Poroshenko spoke to Putin on the phone on Sept.3, according to a statement on the president's website. 'As a result of this conversation, an agreement was reached on a permanent ceasefire in Donbas. An agreement was reached about mutual vision of steps that will promote peace,' the press statement said."The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports that a rebel leader in eastern Ukraine also rejected news of a cease-fire."This is some sort of a game by Kiev," an aide to Andrei Purgin, the self proclaimed prime minister of the Donetsk People's Republic, told the news service. "This was completely unexpected. This decision was made without us."As Reuters reads the confusing tea leaves, the "statements appeared to indicate a degree of progress that could influence European Union leaders as they consider introducing new sanctions against Russia as early as Friday."Reuters adds: "In a contradictory signal, Moscow simultaneously announced plans for huge military exercises this month by the strategic rocket forces responsible for its long-range nuclear weapons. It said the maneuvers in south-central Russia would involve 4,000 troops and extensive use of air power. "The timing was clearly calculated to throw down a challenge to NATO and the United States, hours before President Barack Obama was due to deliver a speech on the crisis in Russia's neighbor Estonia.Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk issued some tough words against Russia."Russia is a terrorist state, it is an aggressor state and will bear responsibility under international law," Yatsenyuk said, according to Reuters.Russia has always denied that it is taking direct action in Ukraine. The U.S., NATO and Ukraine have said more than 1,000 Russian troops are directly involved in the fight. Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.