ILOVAYSK, Ukraine — Russian-backed separatists Tuesday moved some heavy weapons well back from the front line in eastern Ukraine, but the Ukrainian government disputed the rebels’ claim that a real pullback had begun.
A peace plan worked out in marathon talks Feb. 12 aims to create a wide buffer zone between the two sides’ artillery, part of efforts to end the conflict that has left nearly 5,800 dead since April. Heavy weapons are to be pulled back 15 to 45 miles from the front line, depending on their caliber.
The disagreement over a weapons pullback came as the fragile peace deal for Ukraine was discussed in Paris by the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France. The talks ended without apparent progress, although the participants pledged adherence to the peace deal.
Russia denies Ukrainian and Western claims that it is supplying the rebels with troops and equipment, but Western officials and NATO insist that satellite photos show Russian military equipment in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a U.S. military official Tuesday said the Pentagon will deploy a small number of troops to Ukraine to provide combat medical training to forces there who have been battling Russian-backed separatists.
Five to 10 soldiers will go to western Ukraine next week for what will be a second round of coaching and mentoring members of the Ukraine military who will then go on to become trainers.
The U.S. forces will deploy out of Europe.
