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Ukraine rebels pull back after weekend negotiations

The withdrawal of heavy weaponry comes after an 18-mile buffer zone was created.

By Ed Adamczyk
A Ukrainian military armored vehicle. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko
A Ukrainian military armored vehicle. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko | License Photo

KIEV , Ukraine, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine said Tuesday they have begun removing heavy artillery from the front lines of their conflict with the Ukrainian military.

The move comes after Ukrainian troops similarly began withdrawing heavy weaponry Monday, in accordance with a cease-fire agreement, although clashes were reported around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. The removal of military equipment is a sign the shaky peace deal may be sustained.

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"We have withdrawn artillery but only in those areas where the Ukrainian regular units have done the same. Where Ukraine hasn't withdrawn artillery, we also haven't done so," Alexander Zakharchenko, self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic prime minister, told the Interfax news agency.

An 18-mile wide buffer zone at the front line of the conflict was agreed to over the weekend, after the Ukrainian Parliament last week granted a wide measure of self-rule to the rebelling eastern areas. For the Ukrainian military, it is a change of plan; it said last week it would not withdraw the heavy weaponry. More negotiations will be conducted at a meeting next month in Minsk, Belarus, Zakharchenko said.

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