MOSCOW — Negotiators meeting in Minsk, Belarus, reached a tentative deal for a cease-fire in Ukraine on Tuesday night, setting the stage for a meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France to sign the agreement on Wednesday, according to media reports.
The initial reports came from Tass, a Russian government-connected news service, and BelTa, a Belorussian news agency. However, in a report on its website, a Ukrainian weekly newspaper, Zerkalo Nedeli, disputed the report of a deal.
Citing its own unnamed source, the newspaper said that Tass was trying to bolster the proposals put forward by the Russian-backed separatists who are battling the Ukrainian government.
Russia’s Interfax news agency also said reports of a deal were premature, as did representatives of the contact group working on an agreement, Reuters reported.
–
A statement issued by Mr. Poroshenko’s office said that the call with Mr. Obama focused on “the need for a cease-fire and peaceful settlement based on implementation of the Minsk arrangements.”
Mr. Poroshenko’s office said Mr. Obama also offered condolences in response to recent deaths of Ukrainian citizens.
Reporting contributed by Michael Shear in Washington.
