UKRAINE, East – Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, is reported to have dismissed Kiev’s demand that the rebels stop firing during the ceasefire as ‘ridiculous’. Ukraine says its won’t pull back its troops unless the ceasefire is observed by Russian-backed rebels who having seized Debaltseve are now reported to have their sights set on the strategically important town of Mariupol which would link seized territory to Crimea. Meanwhile, Russian firm Gazprom said supplies of oil and gas to Ukraine would be pulled by Saturday should Kiev not come up with the next round of payment.