Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday hailed a peace deal with pro-Russian separatists, claiming that the worst of the conflict in the eastern region is over.

A cease-fire between Kiev forces and pro-Russia rebels was announced during talks attended by both parties, Russian officials and representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Minsk, Belarus.

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Speaking before a Ukrainian delegation of judges, Poroshenko said there was no doubt the worst of the war was over and praised Kiev soldiers for their bravery and heroism.

After months of fierce fighting, Wednesday was the first day no one was wounded or had died from the conflict. He marked it as the first day of the actual ceasefire.

NATO officials on Wednesday confirmed the withdrawal of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine but noted some troops remained in the area.

But Poroshenko said not all provisions of the Minsk ceasefire were being met.

While the fragile truce has mostly held, both the Kiev government and the militants have accused the other of gunfire and shelling.

To date, over 700 Ukrainians are still being held by pro-Russian separatists despite the settled "all-for-all" prisoner exchange, Poroshenko said.

Earlier, Poroshenko outlined plans for broader economic and social reform intended to support the country's bid to apply for membership with the European Union.

The program, titled "Strategy 2020," contains 60 separate models primarily focusing on economic, tax and justice reforms and address corruption within the system.

Analysts believe Kiev needs strict implementation of economic and political reforms to ultimately overcome years of deep-rooted inefficiencies and corruption within its system before it can be considered for a potential EU membership.

Poroshenko's drive for European integration has been met with opposition from Russia, which the U.S. and Ukraine claim backed separatists in the latter's eastern region that has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, Reuters reported.

Moscow is also against Ukraine membership in NATO.

But both the EU and NATO said Ukraine's membership is still off the table.

Tagspro-Russia separatists, conflict in eastern Ukraine, Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, ceasefire, European Union, NATO, Strategy 2020