Ukraine president says may revoke ceasefire after helicopter downing

Kiev: Ukraine`s new Western-backed president said on Tuesday he may revoke his one-week unilateral ceasefire to allow government forces to retaliate for the downing by pro-Russian rebels of an army helicopter that killed nine servicemen.

"The head of state does not exclude that the ceasefire regime may be revoked ahead of schedule in view of its constant violation by rebels who are controlled from abroad," President Petro Poroshenko`s office said in a statement that was clearly referring to Russia`s alleged involvement in the 11-week insurgency.