Russia's Putin welcomes Ukraine ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during an opening ceremony of the MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, August 25, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

CHERSONEUS, Crimea (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday it was welcome that fighting had stopped in eastern Ukraine, a change in rhetoric compared to his previous accusations against Ukraine for violating a ceasefire.

Until recently Putin has repeatedly criticised Ukraine for failing to implement a peace deal agreed in February, including by continued shelling of rebel-held areas.