Ukraine War News Updates -- February 19, 2015

Bloomberg: Ukraine Peace Bid at Crossroads After Rebels Take Strategic Town

The peace agreement on Ukraine has reached a potential turning-point after pro-Russian rebels defied a cease-fire to seize a strategically important town.

While Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France said Thursday they remain committed to the peace deal negotiated in Minsk, Belarus, a week ago, Ukraine asked for the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers as a guarantee against new attacks. Russia reacted skeptically to the idea.

Ukraine War News Updates -- February 19, 2015

Hopes for Ukraine cease-fire fade as fighting spreads across the east -- Washington Post
Fighting rages in east Ukraine despite bid to revive truce -- Reuters
Ukraine crisis: Shelling spreads despite ceasefire -- BBC
Ukraine Update: Fighting Shifts To Mariupol; A Call For UN Peacekeepers -- NPR
Key Ukraine town under rebel control, separatists celebrate -- AP
Shattered Ukraine town in rebel hands as leaders urge respect for ceasefire -- CNN
Ukrainian troops leave loads of munitions in Debaltsevo — militia leader -- ITAR-TASS
3,088 Ukraine troops killed in Debaltseve: DPR -- Press TV
Ukraine Announces a Growing List of Casualties From Debaltseve Retreat -- NYT
Ukraine Fighting Shifts to Mariupol After Debaltseve Takeover -- VOA
Ukraine crisis moves to new front as Kiev warns Russian-backed rebels may assault Mariupol -- The Telegraph
As Retreating Soldiers Pour In, Ukraine Town Fears Fighting Will Follow -- WSJ
U.S. Says More Russian Troops, Weapons Enter Ukraine; Europe Stands By Truce -- WSJ
Leaders renew backing of tattered Ukraine ceasefire -- AFP
Ukraine conflict: Truce violations 'deeply trouble' US -- BBC
Leaders Say Ukraine Truce Vital as Donetsk Fighting Wanes -- Bloomberg
Ukraine forces and EU diplomacy take heavy blow as rebels seize key town -- CSM
Ukrainian President Poroshenko Asks for U.N. Peacekeepers to Enforce Truce -- Time
Differences emerge in Moscow and Ukraine over need for peacekeeping force -- Euronews
Pro-Russian separatist “not opposed” to UN peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine -- Euronews
Pro-Russians reject deployment of U.N. troops along Russian-Ukrainian border -- EFE
Ukraine's Phony Peacekeeping Plan -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg
After Debaltseve Defeat, What Next?: Debaltseve retreat exposes weaknesses in nation’s strategy, military strength -- Kyiv Post
Ukraine Rebels Thirst for Territory After Debaltseve -- Bloomberg
When a Ceasefire Is Not a Ceasefire -- Adam Chandler, The Atlantic
The Guardian view on Debaltseve and the Ukraine ceasefire -- Guardian editorial