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Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva
(about 2 hours later)
Russia, the US and the European Union have said that all sides have agreed to steps to "de-escalate" the crisis in Ukraine. Russia, Ukraine, the US and the European Union have said that all sides have agreed to steps to "de-escalate" the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
Their foreign ministers were speaking at the end of talks between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and US in the Swiss city of Geneva.Their foreign ministers were speaking at the end of talks between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and US in the Swiss city of Geneva.
Analysts say the outline agreement could stay economic sanctions the West was preparing to impose on Russia.Analysts say the outline agreement could stay economic sanctions the West was preparing to impose on Russia.
Ukraine has been in crisis since the toppling of its pro-Moscow president.Ukraine has been in crisis since the toppling of its pro-Moscow president.
Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority population - in a move that provoked international outrage.Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority population - in a move that provoked international outrage.
This was followed by the seizing of government buildings in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists opposed to the new order in the capital Kiev.This was followed by the seizing of government buildings in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists opposed to the new order in the capital Kiev.
'Concrete steps''Concrete steps'
Following the Geneva talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there was agreement that all illegal military formations in Ukraine must be dissolved, and that everyone occupying buildings must be disarmed and leave them. Following the Geneva talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia, US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there was agreement that all illegal military formations in Ukraine must be dissolved, and that everyone occupying buildings must be disarmed and leave them.
They added that there would be an amnesty for all anti-government protesters under the agreement. They added that there would be an amnesty for all anti-government protesters under the agreement, and talk of "inclusivity" - possibly a suggestion that suggestion that Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine might be granted more autonomy.
These steps will be overseen by monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).These steps will be overseen by monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Mr Lavrov said the crisis must be settled by Ukrainians themselves and there must be long-term constitutional reforms. Mr Lavrov said there must be long-term constitutional reforms in Ukraine but added: "All the parties agreed that this is a crisis that needs to be regulated by Ukrainians themselves."
He said he hoped Ukraine could become a link between East and West, adding that Russia had no desire to send troops into Ukraine.
Mr Kerry said the extent of the crisis had been highlighted in recent days by the "grotesque" sending of notices to Jews in eastern Ukraine, demanding that they register themselves as Jewish.Mr Kerry said the extent of the crisis had been highlighted in recent days by the "grotesque" sending of notices to Jews in eastern Ukraine, demanding that they register themselves as Jewish.
The notices, which purport to be from the pro-Kiev authorities in Donetsk, have caused alarm in the Jewish community, although their authenticity has not yet been verified.
"In the year 2014, after all of the miles travelled and all of the journey of history, this is [...] beyond unacceptable," Mr Kerry said.
He praised the Ukrainian government for the restraint it had shown in the face of what he said was provocation from pro-Moscow elements.He praised the Ukrainian government for the restraint it had shown in the face of what he said was provocation from pro-Moscow elements.
Mr Kerry described the talks as "a good day's work", but said words had to be turned into actions and that he would have no choice but to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if Moscow failed to demonstrate that it was serious about lowering tensions in Ukraine.
Mr Deshchytsia said: "We disagree with Russia on many things, but what we agreed today is to put an effort, joint efforts, to launch the process of de-escalation in eastern Ukraine. And Russia committed it to be part of this process.
"So it will be a test for Russia, if Russia wants to really show that it is willing to help the stability in these regions."
Baroness Ashton said the agreement contained "concrete steps that can be implemented immediately".Baroness Ashton said the agreement contained "concrete steps that can be implemented immediately".
'Abyss'
Earlier Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that Ukraine was heading into an "abyss" by confronting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.
He said claims that Russian agents were acting in the region were "rubbish".
He was speaking live on Russian TV in the wake of Wednesday night's clash in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, in which three separatists were reportedly killed by Ukrainian security forces after hundreds of pro-Russians attacked a military base.
The clash took place hours after apparently unsuccessful attempts by the Ukrainian military operation to retake territory elsewhere in eastern Ukraine from armed pro-Russian rebels.
In one instance, an armoured column of Ukrainian paratroopers lost control of some of their armoured vehicles to pro-Russian separatists.
Following Wednesday's events, Ukraine's State Border Service announced on Thursday that it was "significantly" restricting entry into the country by adult men from Russia because of the risk of "acts of terror".
Russia and Ukraine have been on a collision course since pro-Moscow Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was toppled in February by supporters of more engagement with the West, in particular the EU.
The US and EU have imposed visa bans and asset freezes on a small number of Russian government officials, but have been considering more serious measures, accusing Moscow of encouraging anti-government elements in Ukraine.
The EU, which depends on Russia for some 30% of its gas supplies, has been discussing the possible impact of economic sanctions with member states.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.