Ukraine separatists reject diplomatic deal to disarm

2014-04-18 3

The armed standoff in eastern Ukraine continues.

This, despite an internationally-brokered agreement.

It orders pro-Russian separatists holed up across some ten cities and towns to lay down their arms and end their occupation.

Many, if not all, of the separatists dismissed the accord.

They consider the newly-formed central government illegal, the product of a coup that ousted a Moscow-backed president.

In Donetsk, the self declared leader of the separatists here, Denis Pushilin, says his men won't leave until the west-leaning government in the capital steps down.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF THE SELF-DECLARED "DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC" DENIS PUSHILIN, SAYING:

"Everyone has to leave the buildings, including comrades Yatseniuk and Turchinov who also, let's say, as an illegal result of a military coup, came and occupied their place. After they leave, we will also agree to leave."

On Friday, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk promised to give