Ukraine's Poroshenko calls rebel actions in Debaltseve a cynical attack on peace deal

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday condemned a push by pro-Russian rebels to take control of the town of Debaltseve in east Ukraine as a "cynical attack" on the ceasefire deal brokered in Minsk last week. "This is a cynical attack on the Minsk agreement," a statement quoted him as saying during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I appeal to the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to prevent further violations... and full-scale military operations in the heart of Europe." (Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Angus MacSwan)