This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29082574

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels sign ceasefire deal Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels sign ceasefire deal
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in the east have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting.Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in the east have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting.
The two sides agreed to stop firing by 15:00 GMT and the truce appeared to be holding. But the rebels said the truce had not changed their policy of advocating splitting from Ukraine.The two sides agreed to stop firing by 15:00 GMT and the truce appeared to be holding. But the rebels said the truce had not changed their policy of advocating splitting from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Nato has agreed to form a multi-national "spearhead" force capable of deploying within 48 hours. Meanwhile EU ambassadors have expanded a list of Russian and pro-Russian individuals targeted by sanctions.
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 - which followed the annexation by Russia of the southern Crimea peninsula in March - prompted a military operation by Ukrainian forces to retake the cities.The takeover - which followed the annexation by Russia of the southern Crimea peninsula in March - 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.
Earlier in the day, fighting was reported around Donetsk and Mariupol, a coastal city about 110km (70 miles) to the south.Earlier in the day, fighting was reported around Donetsk and Mariupol, a coastal city about 110km (70 miles) to the south.
Witnesses said three large explosions were heard in Donetsk just before the ceasefire came into force.Witnesses said three large explosions were heard in Donetsk just before the ceasefire came into force.
At the scene: Fergal Keane, BBC News in MariupolAt the scene: Fergal Keane, BBC News in Mariupol
As I write, it is three hours since the ceasefire came into effect and the guns of Mariupol are silent so far.
On the veranda of my hotel wedding guests are dancing.
There are rumours that Ukrainian battle tanks have pulled back from the eastern edge of the city. The rebels are holding their positions outside Mariupol.There are rumours that Ukrainian battle tanks have pulled back from the eastern edge of the city. The rebels are holding their positions outside Mariupol.
It is all in dramatic contrast to the day's beginning. Before dawn I was woken by the noise of explosions as government and pro-Russian forces fought an artillery duel.It is all in dramatic contrast to the day's beginning. Before dawn I was woken by the noise of explosions as government and pro-Russian forces fought an artillery duel.
The sound of rockets, air strikes and mortars continued to be heard throughout the morning. Large plumes of smoke dotted the fields around the east of the city.The sound of rockets, air strikes and mortars continued to be heard throughout the morning. Large plumes of smoke dotted the fields around the east of the city.
One of those explosions claimed the lives of Lubov Vasylivna's grandchildren: 10-year-old Nikita, who was disabled, and his six-year-old sister, Karolina.One of those explosions claimed the lives of Lubov Vasylivna's grandchildren: 10-year-old Nikita, who was disabled, and his six-year-old sister, Karolina.
They died just hours before the ceasefire came into effect. They died just hours before the ceasefire came into effect. "I don't know how I am going to survive this," Lubov told me. "The images of them are in front of my eyes."
"I don't know how I am going to survive this," Lubov told me. "The images of them are in front of my eyes."
Querying Nato's rapid reaction forceQuerying Nato's rapid reaction force
But later reports suggested fighting in both cities and elsewhere in the region had subsided.But later reports suggested fighting in both cities and elsewhere in the region 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.
The ceasefire talks in Minsk, Belarus, 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 ceasefire talks in Minsk, Belarus, 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. However, the full agreement has not been published.Both sides agreed to stop fighting, and the OSCE said it would monitor the ceasefire. However, the full agreement has not been published.
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.
In another development, Nato agreed to form a multi-national "spearhead" force capable of deploying within 48 hours.
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.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."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.""They risk wrecking the progress made in the peace process in Ukraine, and encourage a deepening of the split in Ukrainian society."
SanctionsSanctions
On Friday, EU diplomats said new sanctions against Russia had been agreed "in principle" and were due to be implemented on Monday. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement on Friday that the EU had expanded the list of persons under an EU asset freeze and travel ban to include the new leadership in eastern Ukraine, the Crimean government and Russian decision-makers and oligarchs.
However, the sanctions could be suspended if the ceasefire held and if Moscow withdrew forces from Ukraine, the diplomats added. The sanctions are due to be formally adopted on Monday. However, diplomats quoted by Reuters said the measures could be suspended if the ceasefire held and if Moscow withdrew forces from Ukraine.
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said the ceasefire had been agreed because of sanctions imposed on Russia.Earlier, 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.