Ukraine War News Updates -- February 19, 2015

Bloomberg: Ukraine Peace Bid at Crossroads After Rebels Take Strategic Town



The peace agreement on Ukraine has reached a potential turning-point after pro-Russian rebels defied a cease-fire to seize a strategically important town.


While Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France said Thursday they remain committed to the peace deal negotiated in Minsk, Belarus, a week ago, Ukraine asked for the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers as a guarantee against new attacks. Russia reacted skeptically to the idea.

Ukraine War News Updates -- February 19, 2015

Hopes for Ukraine cease-fire fade as fighting spreads across the east -- Washington Post

Fighting rages in east Ukraine despite bid to revive truce -- Reuters

Ukraine crisis: Shelling spreads despite ceasefire -- BBC

Ukraine Update: Fighting Shifts To Mariupol; A Call For UN Peacekeepers -- NPR

Key Ukraine town under rebel control, separatists celebrate -- AP

Shattered Ukraine town in rebel hands as leaders urge respect for ceasefire -- CNN

Ukrainian troops leave loads of munitions in Debaltsevo — militia leader -- ITAR-TASS

3,088 Ukraine troops killed in Debaltseve: DPR -- Press TV

Ukraine Announces a Growing List of Casualties From Debaltseve Retreat -- NYT

Ukraine Fighting Shifts to Mariupol After Debaltseve Takeover -- VOA

Ukraine crisis moves to new front as Kiev warns Russian-backed rebels may assault Mariupol -- The Telegraph

As Retreating Soldiers Pour In, Ukraine Town Fears Fighting Will Follow -- WSJ

U.S. Says More Russian Troops, Weapons Enter Ukraine; Europe Stands By Truce -- WSJ

Leaders renew backing of tattered Ukraine ceasefire -- AFP

Ukraine conflict: Truce violations 'deeply trouble' US -- BBC

Leaders Say Ukraine Truce Vital as Donetsk Fighting Wanes -- Bloomberg

Ukraine forces and EU diplomacy take heavy blow as rebels seize key town -- CSM

Ukrainian President Poroshenko Asks for U.N. Peacekeepers to Enforce Truce -- Time

Differences emerge in Moscow and Ukraine over need for peacekeeping force -- Euronews

Pro-Russian separatist “not opposed” to UN peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine -- Euronews

Pro-Russians reject deployment of U.N. troops along Russian-Ukrainian border -- EFE

Ukraine's Phony Peacekeeping Plan -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

After Debaltseve Defeat, What Next?: Debaltseve retreat exposes weaknesses in nation’s strategy, military strength -- Kyiv Post

Ukraine Rebels Thirst for Territory After Debaltseve -- Bloomberg

When a Ceasefire Is Not a Ceasefire -- Adam Chandler, The Atlantic

The Guardian view on Debaltseve and the Ukraine ceasefire -- Guardian editorial