Ukraine, rebels discuss broadening weapons withdrawal - aide

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces drive a tank in the settlement of Luhanske, Donetsk region, March 27, 2015. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine, Russia and Russian-backed separatists are discussing prospects for extending a pull-back of weapons in east Ukraine to include tanks and smaller weapons systems, a press aide to Kiev's representative at peace talks said on Thursday.

"In order to reduce tension in the region the ... mutual withdrawal of tanks, 80-millimetre mortar and also of weapons of up to 100 millimetre calibre is being discussed," a press aide to former President Leonid Kuchma told Reuters.