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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-Russian 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 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.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.
Meanwhile, Nato has agreed to form a multi-national "spearhead" force capable of deploying within 48 hours.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 takeover 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. Earlier in the day, fighting was reported around Donetsk and Mariupol, a coastal city about 110km (70 miles) to the south.
The BBC's Fergal Keane in Mariupol tweeted that shelling could be heard even as news of the ceasefire filtered through.
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.Witnesses said three large explosions were heard in Donetsk after the ceasefire came into force.
But later reports suggested fighting had subsided. But later reports suggested fighting in both cities 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.
Analysis: Olexiy Solohubenko, news editor, BBC World ServiceAnalysis: 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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."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.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.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".He welcomed the ceasefire, saying he hoped it "could be the start of a constructive political process".
However, Russia's foreign ministry reacted angrily to Nato's announcements.
"The essence and tone of [Nato] statements on the Ukraine situation, and the plans announced to hold joint Nato exercises with Kiev on the territory of that country before the end of 2014, will inevitably lead to heightened tension," a statement said.
"They risk wrecking the progress made in the peace process in Ukraine, and encourage a deepening of the split in Ukrainian society."
No sanctions rollbackNo sanctions rollback
Meanwhile, the EU and US are expected to announced enhanced sanctions on Russia, targeting banking, energy and defence sectors.Meanwhile, the EU and US are expected to announced enhanced sanctions on Russia, targeting banking, energy and defence sectors.
US President Barack Obama said the ceasefire had been agreed because of sanctions imposed on Russia.US President Barack Obama said the ceasefire had been agreed because of sanctions imposed on Russia.
Measures against Russia would be reviewed in line with the implementation of the ceasefire, which he said would be a very long process.Measures against Russia would be reviewed in line with the implementation of the ceasefire, which he said would be a very long process.