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David Cameron today committed thousands of troops to Eastern Europe to “pile pressure” on Russia as a fragile ceasefire began in Ukraine.

The Kiev government and pro-Russian separatists signed a pact to end five months of fighting which has left 2,600 dead.

But the rebels, armed and reinforced by the Kremlin, said the truce had not changed their goal of a separate state.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Wales, Mr Cameron welcomed the deal.

But he added: “We need to look carefully at whether it is a ceasefire and whether it also includes a commitment to make real progress on a proper peace plan.”

Mr Cameron said he could not accept the division of Ukraine and promised leadership and 1,000 troops for a new Nato spearhead rapid-reaction force based in neighbouring Poland.

Another 3,500 personnel will take part in war games in Eastern European countries between now and the end of 2015.

(Image: REUTERS/Andrew Winning)

The PM also insisted that new sanctions imposed today would remain until the situation was clearer.

He closed the summit by telling the assembled leaders, including Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, that a “clear message had been sent” to Russia.

Condemning President Putin’s “indefensible” support for separatists, he vowed Nato would “stand behind Ukraine’s right to make its own decisions and not have it dictated by tanks rolling over the border”.

He went on: “We have also agreed to step up Nato’s ability to respond quickly to any threat with a new multinational Spearhead force.

"The UK will provide a battle group and a brigade HQ and I hope other nations will set out their plans too.”

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Nato leaders had a “great deal of scepticism” about the ceasefire which requires Ukrainian troops to pull back from rebel-held areas they were trying to retake.

But he stressed that Britain will not send troops to help Kiev.

(Image: Reuters)

Britain is the only country to commit a contingent to the 4,000-strong Spearhead force which will be able to deploy in 48 hours from late next year.

Troops from the high-readiness 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3rd Division are expected to be included.

RAF jets are already in Lithuania helping police Baltic airspace.

The second of the Royal Navy’s next generation of aircraft carriers will be brought into service rather than sold, Mr Cameron said at the end of the summit.

He called the decision to keep HMS Prince of Wales an “investment in British security”.

She was built alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth but faced being disposed of or mothballed to save money.

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Rebels ‘stole’ house of Brit

A British businessman has told how pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine today stole his £6million home in Donetsk.

Richard Spinks, 44, was in Kiev and his Ukrainian wife and two sons had already fled after being denied UK visas.

Mr Spinks said: “I got a phone call from my security saying armed men in balaclavas were outside the house.

"I told them – give it to them.”

Rebels are now threatening to destroy his and other homes unless owners pay protection.

Mr Spinks added: I can do nothing. Donestk is lost.”