Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials and Russia-backed separatists both announced Tuesday they have begun pulling back weapons in Ukraine's war-torn east a step they hope unblocks a stalled peace process The reports follow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to the area where he confronted armed veterans who came there to try to hamper the weapons pullback Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko told Ukrainian media that the much-anticipated disengagement between government troops and separatists kicked off earlier in the day a separatist official in the Luhansk region was also quoted as saying the pullback was underway The heavy weapons disengagement in eastern Ukraine is seen as the final hurdle before the leaders of Ukraine France and Germany can get together to discuss a peace settlement for the conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014 The commitment of Zelenskiy's government to pull back heavy weapons in the east has triggered streets protests in the capital of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities Many Ukrainians fear the move opens the door to concessions to Russia which has been funding the rebels and regularly sending its troops across the border an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Tass news agency that the pullback was "good news" and said the much-anticipated summit could take place if a weapons pullback in another location goes ahead as well Ukraine and the rebels met in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Tuesday to talk about further steps who mediated the so-called Contact Group talks said after the meeting that the disengagement in another area near the village of Petrovske was discussed said the parties reached agreement on a date for the pullback in Petrovske but decided not to make it public for now Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Pro-Russian separatists troops leave their position during withdrawal in the village of Petrovske Photographer: Aleksey Filippov/AFP viva Getty Images 2018 at 11:13 AM ESTUpdated on January 26 2018 at 4:00 PM ESTBookmarkSaveLock This article is for subscribers only.Washington (AP) -- The Trump administration said Friday it will punish 21 people and nine companies with sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea Eleven of the individuals are Ukrainian pro-Russian separatists They hold titles such as minister of finance justice and security in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine Features Australia It was Walter Map in his 12th century work ‘On the Trifles of Courtiers’ who created the character Eudo Human nature has changed little in the intervening centuries at least to judge by the behaviour of 21st century courtiers presiding over Covid management in Australia Already a subscriber? Log in You might disagree with half of it, but you’ll enjoy reading all of it. Try your first month for free, then just $2 a week for the remainder of your first year. Join the conversation with other Spectator Australia readers Already a subscriber? Log in Australia's best political analysis - straight to your inbox The Spectator Australia's Morning Double Shot delivers a hearty breakfast of news and views straight to your inbox Weekly round up of the best Flat White blogs - delivered straight to your inbox