According to Russian news agencies, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is reportedly set to announce a temporary ceasefire to allow pro Russian militia to lay down their arms and leave the area of fighting in Ukraine’s east.

It comes after the Kremlin announced Poroshenko and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed a possible end to hostilities in the region.

Putin is also said to have discussed the death of two Russian journalists, killed yesterday during shelling near the eastern city of Luhansk.

Poroshenko reportedly expressed his condolences for the incident and promosed a thorough investigation.

With gas supply proving another sore point in relations, images of an explosion at a Ukrainian transit pipeline had stoked fears that European supplies may be affected.

Today Russian energy giant Gazprom stressed that gas flows were stable.

Though Ukraine itself remains cut off from Russian gas for failing to pay substantial debts.

Kyiv has branded the move political- it must now pay Gazprom in advance for future purchases.