President Petro Poroshenko instructed the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defence to cease fire in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas starting 1 April.
"I have issued instruction for to the General Staff and the Defence Minister," the president said, answering the question whether the Ukrainian side is ready to implement the agreements reached in Minsk.
The Tripartite Contact Group at a meeting in Minsk agreed on a ceasefire in Donbas on the eve of the Easter holidays. It is also planned to significantly accelerate the procedure of crossing of the contact line ahead of commemorative days.
The Defense Ministry has reported preparedness for the ceasefire and the possible withdrawal of weapons after seven days of silence.