Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is holding a news briefing ahead of an agreed ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels, which is due to come into force at midnight local time (22:00 GMT).

Fierce fighting has been reported in the run up to the deadline in the strategic town of Debaltseve and the southern port city of Mariupol.

The ceasefire deal was made by the presidents of France, Russia and Ukraine and the German chancellor after marathon talks in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday.