Cease-fire in war-torn eastern Ukraine to begin at midnight

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian and rebel forces in war-torn eastern Ukraine have started preparing for a “full and comprehensive” cease-fire scheduled to begin at midnight. Rebel officials said Sunday they have instructed their troops about the cease-fire and issued a decree banning weapon use. Ukraine’s military said their forces “have begun preparations” for the cease-fire. The presidents of both countries talked about the cease-fire on Sunday. Ukraine’s president hopes the cease-fire, if upheld, would “pave the way for implementing other clauses” of the Minsk peace deal. That 2015 peace deal aimed to resolved the conflict between Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists that flared up in 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.