Ukraine’s president in the early hours of Tuesday announced that he had ordered the country’s military and security forces to advance on and crush pro-Russian militant separatists in breakaway eastern regions, citing their repeated violation of a 10-day long ceasefire and failed peace negotiations.

Mr Poroshenko referred to days of failed negotiations with the separatists and Russia’s president, in which Kiev and EU leaders pressed Vladimir Putin to stop the alleged flow of arms and rebels from its territory to separatists in eastern Ukraine. But without directly naming Russia or Mr Putin, he said: “During 10 days [of ceasefire] we demonstrated to the Donbass region, Ukraine and the entire world our dedication to a peaceful settlement of this conflict provoked from abroad.”

Promising amnesty for militants not guilty of capital crime who lay down their arms and more governing authority for regional government, Mr Poroshenko called for the support and understanding of citizens in the restive region, pledging that order and economic prosperity would be restored.