Pro-Russian separatists are meeting with Ukraine and Europe’s OSCE security watchdog in Minsk. They’re expected to discuss a stage-by-stage peace plan for Ukraine.<br /><br />No major decision was reached when the so-called contact group met on Monday, however both sides are expected to announce a ceasefire after today’s talks.<br /><br />Ukraine’s president has voiced careful optimism about the Minsk meeting. He stressed the importance of the OSCE’s role in monitoring any ceasefire. <br /><br />Earlier, Ukraine said its forces were trying to push back a big offensive by the separatists to take Maripol, a port city about halfway between Russia and Russian-annexed Crimea.<br /><br />Analysts say if Mariupol is seized by the rebels, it could serve as a base to build a land bridge with Crimea.
