Story highlights Leader of self-declared separatist republic in eastern Ukraine challenges Poroshenko

Fighting has raged in eastern Ukraine despite ceasefire signed two months ago

Ukrainian Prime Minister says Kiev will not negotiate directly with rebels

(CNN) After thousands of deaths and months of futile attempts to avoid more in Ukraine's fight with pro-Russian rebels, leaders on both sides talked past each other Wednesday, with one saying direct negotiations were off the table and another suggesting that the war be settled with a duel.

Igor Plotnitsky, leader of the self-declared separatist republic in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region, said he challenges Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to a one-on-one fight to end the monthslong conflict.

Regardless of whether Plotnitsky's offer was sincere, it reflected a serious reality: A war that has spread misery in eastern Ukraine and heightened tensions between Russia and the West is still going on, despite a supposed ceasefire that the two sides signed two months ago.

"Let's follow the example of the ancient Slavic leaders and glorious Kazakh chiefs and clash in a fight," Plotnitsky said, adding that Poroshenko could pick the time and weapons, according to ITAR-Tass. "The one who wins will dictate the terms to the opposite side."

Ukraine's government made no immediate public response.

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