Rebels say new Ukraine peace talks to take place today

A meeting of a so-called contact group aimed at ending violence in eastern Ukraine is planned for Wednesday, Russian state television quoted Denis Pushilin, vice speaker of the separatists' "People's Council" leadership body, as saying.

The meeting was planned for 3 pm Moscow time in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Rossiya TV channel said. Talks in Minsk between Russia, Ukraine and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in September brokered a ceasefire agreement between Kiev and pro-Russian rebels.

The truce was repeatedly broken by both sides but violence has eased significantly in December.