PRESIDENT Petro Poroshenko expressed his belief in Kiev yesterday that the conflict in eastern Ukraine is on the wane and that peace efforts will work.

He said: “I have no doubt whatsoever that my peace plan will work and that the main and most dangerous part of the war is behind us.”

Mr Poroshenko said that he is working to arrange a meeting in the next few weeks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, believing that there has been a “transformation” of Russia’s aims regarding Ukraine.

Russia at first wanted to tear Ukraine apart, he claimed, but now “the relationship with Russia and the plans of Russia are changing.”

His words were at odds with sentiments voiced on Wednesday by his Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the UN.

Mr Yatsenyuk urged countries there not to lift sanctions against Russia until Ukraine regains control over its entire territory, including Crimea.