Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (C) announced that government forces will abide by a ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine. (Photo: EPA/VNA)

The announcement followed a meeting of Poroshenko, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. Steinmeier told reporters that the ceasefire has sparked hopes for other truces in the upcoming weeks toward a permanent peace in Ukraine.

Ayrault said he expects an agreement will be reached next week between the Ukrainian army and the pro-separatist forces to withdraw their troops from three hotspots in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier the separatist militants said they would respect the ceasefire agreement, following Russia’s announcement of support for a cessation of hostilities in Donbass. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for Kiev to back the truce proposed by the separatists, calling it an important step toward a permanent peace in eastern Ukraine.