Ukraine Independence Day
Soldiers salute as they parade on Tochka-U tactical rocket complexes during Ukraine's Independence Day military parade in the centre of Kiev August 24, 2014. Reuters

Ukraine has publicly announced that Russian forces have started withdrawing from its east and southern areas and ceasefire is showing results. Ukraine President Poroshenko in a televised address said, 70 percent of Russian troops have moved back. He added that this would help in adding more momentum to peace initiatives, reported Reuters. Moscow had been in a denial mode that its troops were supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine and some of its troops are also fighting with them.

Special Status

Showing a hard line that no great concessions will be given to the pro-Russian rebels, Poroshenko said in the televised cabinet meeting that Ukraine would remain a united country. This has been specified in the roadmap for ceasefire, which was approved last Friday. But the Ukraine president conceded that some parts of the east that are now under rebel control will be accorded special status.

But it remains to be seen how far the political settlement that Poroshenko is talking about in the east will be accepted by separatists who are insisting on full independence, or a radical federalisation as favoured by Russia. Moscow wants to see more autonomy in the eastern provinces as it would help in weakening the pro-western government in Kiev and thwart its desire to integrate Ukraine with the European Union.

Truce Violations

Poroshenko also referred to some violations in the ceasefire and called the attempts by "terrorists" to provoke Kiev's forces.

The Ukraine President also said there are no plans to regroup the forces in eastern Ukraine to plan another operation, as is being propagated by the rebels. The forces will only defend the territory from future attacks. President Putin and Poroshenko also discussed the progress of ceasefire in a telephonic talk.

Ceasfire Monitoring

In Prague, the chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) announced that it will be monitoring the ceasefire. The OSCE wants reasonable time to be given for the peace process before slapping any hasty sanctions on Russia.

Didier Burkhalter of the OSCE said it would deploy drones to monitor the ceasefire. The ceasefire has already raised big expectations hoping that the conflict that killed more than 3,000 people will bring the needed respite and peace to the people in Ukraine.