Ukraine says rebels strengthened by tanks, missiles from Russia

KIEV/DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Thursday that pro-Russian rebels had reinforced their positions with tanks and missile systems in east Ukraine while marathon four-nation talks were taking place the previous night.

A deal reached at talks involving Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists starting on Sunday, but all sides said there was a long way to go towards real peace.