BILLIONAIRE Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko proposed a unilateral ceasefire yesterday in his military campaign against eastern rebels — but only to let them lay down their arms.

The peace plan would offer pro-Russian fighters a chance to lay down their weapons or leave the country.

Mr Poroshenko made the announcement after discussing a possible ceasefire in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin late on Tuesday. 

And he also discussed his plans with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But the new president made no move to talk to rebel leaders, who have remained defiant, saying they would demand Kiev’s troops withdraw as the main condition for any talks.

Donetsk People’s Republic chairman Denis Pushilin told Russian television that Mr Poroshenko’s latest offer was “senseless.”

“They cease fire, we lay down weapons and then they capture us weaponless,” he said scornfully.

Donetsk People’s Republic prime minister Alexander Borodai met MPs in the Russian parliament’s upper house, thanking them for “a steady flow of volunteers from Russia who fight for the interests of people of Donbass.”

Mr Borodai added that he did not see any peaceful steps from Kiev, only “efforts to suppress the will of the people of Donbass and their choice of self-determination.”

Nevertheless, Mr Poroshenko appeared to be certain that his gesture was appropriate.

“The plan will begin with my order for a unilateral ceasefire,” he told reporters in Kiev. 

“I can say that the period of the ceasefire will be rather short. 

“We anticipate that immediately after this the disarming of the illegal military formations will take place.”

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that any ceasefire should be “comprehensive,” not temporary. 

However, he added that if it was followed by negotiations “then it could be the step … we were all waiting for.”

Mr Poroshenko made repeated promises of steps to restore peace before and after winning May’s presidential election. 

But yesterday was the first time he had conceded that government forces would be the first to halt hostilities.