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Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels sign ceasefire deal Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels sign ceasefire deal
(about 1 hour later)
The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia rebels have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting. The Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting.
The two sides, meeting in the Belarusian capital Minsk, agreed to stop firing at 15:00 GMT. The two sides, meeting in Belarusian capital Minsk, agreed to stop firing by 15:00 GMT. However, the rebels said the truce had not changed their policy of advocating separation from Ukraine.
President Petro Poroshenko said he would do "everything possible" to end the bloodshed. The rebels said the truce had not changed their policy of advocating separation from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Nato has agreed to form a multi-national "spearhead" force capable of deploying within 48 hours.
More than 2,600 people have died since rebels stormed several eastern cities.More than 2,600 people have died since rebels stormed several eastern cities.
The move prompted a military operation by Ukrainian forces to retake the cities. The takeover prompted a military operation by Ukrainian forces to retake the cities.
The rebels, who had largely been pushed back towards their strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk, made new advances in recent days.The rebels, who had largely been pushed back towards their strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk, made new advances in recent days.
Fighting was continuing on Friday around Mariupol, a coastal city about 110km (70 miles) south of Donetsk.Fighting was continuing on Friday around Mariupol, a coastal city about 110km (70 miles) south of Donetsk.
The BBC's Fergal Keane in Mariupol tweeted that pro-Russia forces seemed to be hitting Ukrainian positions 4km outside the city. The BBC's Fergal Keane in Mariupol tweeted that shelling could be heard even as news of the ceasefire filtered through.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen as Ukrainian artillery fired back, he says. Ukrainian fighter jets also hit rebel positions. Earlier in the day, rebels appeared to be hitting Ukrainian forces hard, and large plumes of smoke could be seen as Ukrainian forces fired back with artillery and jet fire, our correspondent says.
Witnesses said three large explosions were heard in Donetsk after the ceasefire came into force.
But later reports suggested fighting had subsided.
The West accuses Russia of sending arms and troops to back the rebels in eastern Ukraine - allegations denied by Russia.The West accuses Russia of sending arms and troops to back the rebels in eastern Ukraine - allegations denied by Russia.
In other developments: Analysis: Olexiy Solohubenko, news editor, BBC World Service
The ceasefire looks like a technical document. Soldiers and militias are ordered to stop firing at each other, prisoners are to be exchanged, and international monitors should be in place to observe the implementation.
There are reasons for scepticism. The chain of command among rebel groups is not clear. The role Russia will play in pressing the rebels into line is essential.
One area the deal doesn't cover is the political settlement of the conflict. President Poroshenko has already said the territorial integrity of Ukraine is not up for discussion, only to be followed by the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics saying their goal of splitting from Ukraine is unchanged.
Neither side will find it easy to sell the deal to some of their embittered supporters, for whom talking to the enemy after so much bloodshed and destruction appears impossible. But if they manage to have at least a weekend without military and civilians deaths, scepticism may be replaced with cautious optimism.
The talks in Minsk were brokered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and involved a former Ukrainian president, leaders of the pro-Russian rebels, and a Russian delegate.
Both sides agreed to stop fighting, and the OSCE said it would monitor the ceasefire.
President Petro Poroshenko said the ceasefire was based on a 12-point peace plan that included the release of "hostages", which he said would probably happen on Saturday.
"It is very important that this ceasefire lasts long, and during this ceasefire we continue the political dialogue to bring peace and stability," he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had been told of the plan during a phone call, he added.
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Russia's actions in Ukraine had been a wake-up call for the alliance, and had spurred the formation of the rapid-reaction force.
He welcomed the ceasefire, saying he hoped it "could be the start of a constructive political process".
Meanwhile, the EU and US are expected to announced enhanced sanctions on Russia, targeting banking, energy and defence sectors.
The UK had said the announcement would go ahead whether or not there was a ceasefire.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the sanctions would contain a proviso that they could be suspended if Russia co-operated.