Moscow, Jun 21 (IANS): Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's announcement on a week-long ceasefire sounds more like an ultimatum to the insurgents in the war-torn country, the Kremlin press service said.
"A primary analysis shows that this is not an invitation to peace and talks, but an ultimatum to Ukraine's southeastern militias to lay down arms," Xinhua quoted the Russian presidential press service as saying Friday.
"It lacks a key element, a proposal to start talks," the press service added.
Poroshenko Friday announced a week-long ceasefire in the eastern regions of the war-torn country, which started at 10 p.m. June 20 to 10 a.m. June 27.
"In case of an armed attack made on Ukrainian units or civilians, the military will fire back," a statement posted on Poroshenko's official website said.
Poroshenko also outlined his peace plan on how to settle the situation in the eastern regions during the telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday, said Vitaly Churkin, Russian UN ambassador.
But he denied earlier reports on Moscow welcoming the plan, saying that it's too early to speak about Russia's support.