Poroshenko condemns rebels actions in east Ukraine town

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday condemned a push by pro-Russian rebels to take control of the town of Debaltseve in east Ukraine as a "cynical attack" on the ceasefire deal brokered in Minsk last week.

"This is a cynical attack on the Minsk agreement," a statement quoted him as saying during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel .

"I appeal to the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to prevent further violations...and full-scale military operations in the heart of Europe ."

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Angus MacSwan)