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Ukraine crisis: Geneva talks produce agreement on defusing conflict Ukraine crisis: Geneva talks produce agreement on defusing conflict
(35 minutes later)
The US, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have agreed a plan aimed at defusing the gathering conflict in eastern Ukraine.The US, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have agreed a plan aimed at defusing the gathering conflict in eastern Ukraine.
At a meeting in Geneva which began with low expectations but led to seven hours of intense negotiations, foreign ministers agreed a series of "concrete steps" to be taken by all sides. At a meeting in Geneva which began with low expectations but led to seven hours of intense negotiations, foreign ministers agreed a series of "concrete steps" to be taken by all sides. The agreement puts on hold for now at least additional economic sanctions against Russia.
"All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions. The participants strongly condemned and rejected all expressions of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including antisemitism," the joint statement said."All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions. The participants strongly condemned and rejected all expressions of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including antisemitism," the joint statement said.
"All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated.""All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated."
The constitution is also to be revised in a process that is "inclusive, transparent and accountable".The constitution is also to be revised in a process that is "inclusive, transparent and accountable".
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry said the agreement "represents a good day's work" but would have little meaning if it was not followed by action on all sides to calm the situation. He said if the US and EU did not see progress, new sanctions would follow.The US Secretary of State, John Kerry said the agreement "represents a good day's work" but would have little meaning if it was not followed by action on all sides to calm the situation. He said if the US and EU did not see progress, new sanctions would follow.
"Over the next few days, over the course of this weekend and the earliest part of next week, some of these steps have to be seen and be evident," Kerry said. "None of us leaves here with a sense that the job is done because of words on a paper.""Over the next few days, over the course of this weekend and the earliest part of next week, some of these steps have to be seen and be evident," Kerry said. "None of us leaves here with a sense that the job is done because of words on a paper."
The substantive agreement also grants amnesty to protesters including those who had occupied government property and surrendered their weapons. The exception would be those "found guilty of capital crimes".The substantive agreement also grants amnesty to protesters including those who had occupied government property and surrendered their weapons. The exception would be those "found guilty of capital crimes".
The deal represents a far better outcome than appeared possible when the four foreign ministers met on Thursday morning.The deal represents a far better outcome than appeared possible when the four foreign ministers met on Thursday morning.
Talks were expected to be perfunctory and last a little more than a couple of hours. A room was prepared for the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, to give a press conference after just an hour, perhaps anticipating a walk-out.Talks were expected to be perfunctory and last a little more than a couple of hours. A room was prepared for the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, to give a press conference after just an hour, perhaps anticipating a walk-out.
The success of the agreement will depend on its implementation. Kerry made it clear that the US would hold Moscow responsible for controlling the pro-Russian protesters, who the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has portrayed as independent minded Ukrainians. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, had earlier said in a televised live Q&A that the Russian parliament had given him the right to intervene militarily in Ukraine, adding "I really hope that I do not have to exercise this right and that we are able to solve all today's pressing issues via political and diplomatic means."
The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Deshchytsia, said the next few days would show if Russia had committed itself to the process and wanted stability. The success of the agreement will depend on its implementation. Kerry made it clear that the US would hold Moscow responsible for controlling the pro-Russian protesters, who Putin has portrayed as independent minded Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Deshchytsia, said in Geneva the "joint efforts to launch the de-escalation ... will be a test for Russia to show that it is really willing to have stability in this region."
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be given a leading role in monitoring the agreement and helping to implement it.The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be given a leading role in monitoring the agreement and helping to implement it.
"The US, EU and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors," the statement said."The US, EU and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors," the statement said.
On constitutional talks it said: "The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine's regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments."On constitutional talks it said: "The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine's regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments."