DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he is hoping for a peace agreement to be reached between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels by Friday.

Putin urged both sides to stop military action in eastern Ukraine, adding that his views and those of his Ukrainian counterpart were very close, reports the BBC.

Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko said they had agreed a ‘ceasefire process’.

US president Barack Obama said he stood with Ukraine’s people because they had a right to determine their own future.

Speaking in the Estonian capital Tallinn, Obama also said Nato would guarantee the independence of the Baltic states.

‘You’ve lost your independence once before, with Nato you’ll never lose it again,’ he said.

A Nato summit opening in Wales on Thursday is expected to back plans for a rapid response force.

BDST: 2020 HRS, SEP 03, 2014