Russia's foreign minister says Ukraine 'ridiculous' for expecting full cease-fire observance
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Russia's foreign minister is sharply criticizing Ukraine's insistence that it won't begin pulling back heavy weapons in its fight against separatists in the east until the rebels fully observe a cease-fire.
Sergey Lavrov told a news conference that the stand is "ridiculous."
"Everyone understands that there isn't an ideal truce and an ideal regime of ceasing fire," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ukrainian military spokesman Lt. Col. Anatoliy Stelmakh on Thursday said cease-fire violations during the night were relatively few, but included shelling the village of Pisky on the outskirts of Donetsk, the largest rebel-held city.
He reiterated that Ukrainian forces would not begin the weapons pullback envisioned under a peace accord until attacks have ceased. The rebels claimed Tuesday to have begun their pullback, but that has not been independently confirmed.