MOSCOW—A cease-fire between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists took effect on Monday, offering the prospect of an end to a slow-burning conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in Eastern Ukraine and become a flashpoint between Moscow and the West. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine spoke hours before the armistice was scheduled to enter into force, their offices said. The settlement, negotiated last week by Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and...

Source: Wall Street Journal July 27, 2020 16:18 UTC