DHAKA: The Ukrainian and Russian presidents have agreed that a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is ‘largely holding’.

Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko said he spoke by phone to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss steps to make Friday’s truce durable, reports the BBC.

Some 2,600 people have died in fighting after pro-Russian rebels seized towns in eastern Ukraine in April.

Meanwhile, Russia vowed to respond if the EU imposed new sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

The EU says the sanctions, targeting more Russian individuals, will be introduced on Monday but could be later suspended if Russia withdraws troops from eastern Ukraine and observes a current truce.

Russia has repeatedly denied accusations by Ukraine and the West that it has been sending regular troops into eastern Ukraine to help the rebels.

BDST: 2122 HRS, SEP 06, 2014