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| Ukraine crisis: Foreign Ministers decide on steps to ease tensions | Ukraine crisis: Foreign Ministers decide on steps to ease tensions |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have issued a joint statement outlining immediate steps “to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens” in Ukraine, following seven hours of talks in Geneva on Thursday. | The foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have issued a joint statement outlining immediate steps “to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens” in Ukraine, following seven hours of talks in Geneva on Thursday. |
| It means that, for now at least, the West will not impose a further wave of economic sanctions against Russia, therefore easing international pressure on Moscow and the EU nations that depend on Russia for their energy. | It means that, for now at least, the West will not impose a further wave of economic sanctions against Russia, therefore easing international pressure on Moscow and the EU nations that depend on Russia for their energy. |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry called the deal the result of a “good day's work” but he said concrete action must follow the marathon talks. | US Secretary of State John Kerry called the deal the result of a “good day's work” but he said concrete action must follow the marathon talks. |
| “It is important that these words are translated immediately into actions,” Kerry said at a news briefing. | “It is important that these words are translated immediately into actions,” Kerry said at a news briefing. |
| “None of us leaves here with a sense that the job is done because of words on a paper.” | “None of us leaves here with a sense that the job is done because of words on a paper.” |
| And he warned Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Moscow would soon face sanctions if it did not follow through on its commitments under the agreement. | And he warned Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Moscow would soon face sanctions if it did not follow through on its commitments under the agreement. |
| The agreement requires all sides to refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions. It states that all illegally armed groups must lay down their weapons and government buildings taken over by pro-Russian separatists must be given back to the authorities. | The agreement requires all sides to refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions. It states that all illegally armed groups must lay down their weapons and government buildings taken over by pro-Russian separatists must be given back to the authorities. |
| It also gives amnesty to protesters who comply with the demands, except those found guilty of capital crimes. | It also gives amnesty to protesters who comply with the demands, except those found guilty of capital crimes. |
| The Ukrainian authorities and local communities are to be assisted by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, with the full support of the US, the EU and Russia. | |
| The statement said Kiev's plans to reform its constitution must be “inclusive, transparent and accountable.” | |
| Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted Russia’s “right” to invade Ukraine during a live phone-in. | |
| The Russian leader argued the country had been forced to respond to Nato enlargement and that its annexation of Crimea was partly influenced by the Western military alliance's expansion into eastern Europe. | |
| But he added that he remained hopeful diplomacy would instead resolve the crisis. | |
| Here is the statement from the Geneva meeting in full: | |
| “The Geneva meeting on the situation in Ukraine agreed on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens. | “The Geneva meeting on the situation in Ukraine agreed on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens. |
| “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 anti-semitism. | “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 anti-semitism. |
| “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. |
| “Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes. | “Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes. |
| “It was agreed that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The U.S., E.U. and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors. | “It was agreed that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The U.S., E.U. and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors. |
| “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. | “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. |
| “The participants underlined the importance of economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional support as the above steps are implemented.” | “The participants underlined the importance of economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional support as the above steps are implemented.” |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |