Ukraine plans to pull back heavy arms ‘in 48 hours after complete ceasefire’

Kiev will pull back heavy arms from the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine within 48 hours, once a full ceasefire is observed, RIA Novosti quoted Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Aleksey Mazepa as saying Friday. The move would be “the second phase” in observing the Minsk agreements. Military officials in Kiev said on Thursday that the sides of the conflict will begin the withdrawal of heavy artillery from the separation line on December 26 to create a 30km security buffer zone.