A plume of smoke billows from the town Krasny Liman in the east of Ukraine.<br/> <br />Evidence of the heavy fighting between troops and pro-Russian rebels close to the separatist stronghold of Slaviansk.<br/> <br />Here in neighbouring Seversk rebels pack up their weapons and roll down the street.<br/> <br />The fighting in Krasny Liman erupted when rebels refused to lay down their arms as part of President Petro Poroshenko's plan for peace.<br/> <br />As well as a plan to end the rebellion, the new president of Ukraine is also trying to shift the country away from Russia's influence.<br/> <br />He's signing a controversial agreement with the EU on 27th June. The same deal his pro-Russian predecessor, Viktor Yanukovich, was overthrown for refusing.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT, PETRO POROSHENKO, SAYING:<br/> <br />"That's what we have been waiting for so long, what millions of Ukrainians wished to achieve and what they have been fighting for the last half of the year. And I am sure it will t
