Ukraine, rebels close to truce

Ukraine and the pro-Russian separatists appeared increasingly close to signing a deal to end four months of fighting, as NATO leaders including President Barack Obama expressed support for Ukraine at a NATO summit Thursday. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he's ready to order a cease-fire in the east Friday if a peace deal is signed that day at talks in Minsk, Belarus. The rebels also said they were ready to declare a truce Friday if an agreement with Ukraine is reached on a political settlement for the mostly Russian-speaking region, according to a news agency.