Ukraine's Defense Minister, Mikhail Koval on Tuesday pledged to end the anti-terror operation in the Donbass region if all mercenaries leave Ukraine.
"The operation in eastern Ukraine will end if the mercenaries leave the country," said Koval at a Ukrainian TV channel on Tuesday, saying that these militants have triggered problems in the Donbass region.
Koval signalled that he would stop military operations if the rebels accept the peace plan offered by the President Petro Poroshenko who earlier accused them of violating a ten-day peace plan in eastern Ukraine.
The defense minister emphasized that the deadly incidents could be over through negotiation and agreement between the two sides.
Koval dismissed allegations that the army randomly opened fire on civilians, and said the troops launched the offensive against armed separatists after scrutinizing intelligence data, some of which was obtained via satellite.
Tension continues to remain high as pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of Ukraine declared their intention to break away from Kiev in March.
www.aa.com.tr/en
