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-29162903

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ukraine truce deal: The 12-point plan Ukraine ceasefire: The 12-point plan
(5 months later)
The fragile ceasefire agreed between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in Minsk on 5 September appears to be holding, despite reports of daily attacks. Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine has scuppered a ceasefire deal agreed between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in Minsk on 5 September.
Both their number and scale have gone down, and casualties have fallen dramatically. Steps are also being made to implement the 12 points mentioned in the ceasefire deal: But the 12-point plan may still form the basis of a new deal, if diplomacy spearheaded by France and Germany this week bears fruit.
What was in the 12-point plan agreed in the Belarusian capital?
1. An immediate bilateral ceasefire1. An immediate bilateral ceasefire
Although the parties to the conflict still say they are being attacked on a daily basis, the consensus is that the ceasefire is holding. The Ukrainian military say five of their troops have been killed since the ceasefire was declared, but there have been no independent reports of Ukrainian troops dying since 8 September. The number of casualties fell sharply in the days immediately after the ceasefire. But within weeks the fighting had intensified again, especially the battle for Donetsk airport.
The pro-Russian separatists said on 11 September that three of their fighters had been killed, but gave no tally of their number of casualties.
Before the ceasefire, the numbers of combatants killed in fighting could reach dozens each day.Before the ceasefire, the numbers of combatants killed in fighting could reach dozens each day.
2. Monitoring and verification of the ceasefire2. Monitoring and verification of the ceasefire
On 10 September the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said 70 of its monitors were tracking the ceasefire in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It is expected to beef up its mission and deploy drones as well. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said dozens of its monitors have been tracking the ceasefire in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
However, the OSCE has been unable to check the many convoys of Russian trucks that have entered rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine. There are suspicions that arms were brought in as well as humanitarian supplies.
3. Decentralisation of power3. Decentralisation of power
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that in the week starting 15 September he will submit a bill to parliament granting wider self-rule rights to Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which will nonetheless remain part of Ukraine. Soon after the ceasefire deal Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko persuaded parliament to adopt a law on "temporary self-rule" for parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Under the plan, they would remain part of Ukraine.
The lack of detailed information about the exact content of the bill has triggered media speculation that Ukraine may be surrendering too much power in the east. But the breakdown of the ceasefire prompted Mr Poroshenko to revoke that law by decree in November.
4. OSCE monitoring of a "buffer zone" on the Russia-Ukraine border The Kiev authorities were also angered by elections held by the rebels on 2 November - elections denounced as illegal by Kiev and Western governments. Russia, in contrast, appeared to back the elections, saying it respected "the will of the people of the south-east".
OSCE monitors have visited checkpoints on the border but, given its porous nature and plentiful opportunities for bypassing checkpoints, some analysts question the enforceability of a buffer zone. Mr Poroshenko ordered the withdrawal of all state services, including funding for hospitals and schools, from rebel-held areas. It also meant a freeze on Ukrainian banking services in the rebel areas.
4. OSCE monitoring of a 'buffer zone' on the Russia-Ukraine border
OSCE monitors have been deployed at just two rebel-held checkpoints on the border. Given the border's porous nature and plentiful opportunities for bypassing checkpoints, some analysts question the enforceability of a buffer zone.
5. Prisoner release5. Prisoner release
Some 700 Ukrainians have been freed from separatist captivity since the ceasefire came into force, according to President Poroshenko on 10 September. He said 500 more were expected to be freed within a week. Hundreds of prisoners have been exchanged by both sides since the ceasefire took effect. That is probably the most tangible positive result to have come from the ceasefire.
Ukraine swapped 37 separatists for 37 Ukrainians near Donetsk on 12 September.
6. Amnesty for those involved in unrest in eastern Ukraine6. Amnesty for those involved in unrest in eastern Ukraine
As of 11 September, the Ukrainian authorities have not yet made any moves towards an amnesty. Luhansk separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky insists it must be declared "without deceit", in order to prevent possible "repression" by the Ukrainian government. The Ukrainian authorities have not yet made any moves towards an amnesty. Luhansk separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky insists it must be declared "without deceit", in order to prevent possible "repression" by the Ukrainian government.
7. Inclusive national dialogue7. Inclusive national dialogue
Russia has often called for dialogue between the Ukrainian government and the separatists, although many in Kiev see this as engaging in dialogue with "terrorists".Russia has often called for dialogue between the Ukrainian government and the separatists, although many in Kiev see this as engaging in dialogue with "terrorists".
When announcing the ceasefire on 5 September, President Poroshenko said "dialogue will continue for the sake of peace and stability", but no high-profile contacts between Ukrainian officials and separatists have been reported since. When announcing the ceasefire on 5 September, President Poroshenko said "dialogue will continue for the sake of peace and stability".
8. Humanitarian aid8. Humanitarian aid
Ukraine has been sending aid to the parts of the east that it controls, but not to separatist-held areas.Ukraine has been sending aid to the parts of the east that it controls, but not to separatist-held areas.
The humanitarian situation is reported to be particularly dire in separatist-controlled Luhansk, a city of almost half a million people before the crisis erupted. It has been without regular electricity, food and water supplies for more than a month. Russian aid convoys in the winter helped to ease the humanitarian crisis in Luhansk and other rebel-held areas.
But shortages of essential goods, including medical supplies, are widespread in the combat zone, and there are frequent power cuts.
9. Early local elections9. Early local elections
They are to be held under the self-rule law that President Petro Poroshenko has promised to submit to parliament soon. The polls are likely to be held simultaneously with parliamentary elections on 26 October. The Minsk deal envisaged that local elections would be held in the rebel areas under Ukrainian law in December. But in November the rebels pre-empted that by bringing the elections forward - a move seen by Kiev as a clear violation of the ceasefire.
"We won't be too happy with the kind of local councillors Luhansk and Donetsk residents will elect," President Poroshenko says. "But we need to learn to recognise their choice," he adds.
10. Withdrawal of 'illegal militant groups' from Ukraine10. Withdrawal of 'illegal militant groups' from Ukraine
On 10 September President Poroshenko said about 70% of the regular Russian troops that Kiev says crossed into Ukraine had now pulled back across the border. Last September, after the ceasefire deal, President Poroshenko said about 70% of the regular Russian troops that Kiev said had crossed into Ukraine had pulled back across the border.
Both the OSCE and Ukrainian media also report large numbers of fighters entering Russia from eastern Ukraine. But the Kiev government accuses Russia of keeping about 9,000 troops in the east to help the rebels. Nato has not confirmed that figure - instead, Nato estimates that up to 1,000 Russian officers and military intelligence (GRU) specialists are there with the rebels, with thousands more just over the border in Russia.
A Nato military officer said on 11 September that an estimated 1,000 Russian troops were still in Ukraine, with some 20,000 more deployed along the border.
Russia still denies sending regular troops to Ukraine, describing troops who died fighting there as "volunteers".Russia still denies sending regular troops to Ukraine, describing troops who died fighting there as "volunteers".
The agreement does not specify the "illegal militant groups" that are to be withdrawn from Ukraine.The agreement does not specify the "illegal militant groups" that are to be withdrawn from Ukraine.
11. A programme for the economic reconstruction of eastern Ukraine 11. A programme for economic reconstruction of eastern Ukraine
Ukraine is unlikely to launch a recovery programme on any scale until Donetsk and Luhansk regions return to some sort of responsible government. As Delovaya Stolitsa newspaper says, to do so now would mean "handing billions over to the separatists".Ukraine is unlikely to launch a recovery programme on any scale until Donetsk and Luhansk regions return to some sort of responsible government. As Delovaya Stolitsa newspaper says, to do so now would mean "handing billions over to the separatists".
12. Security guarantees for participants in the crisis talks12. Security guarantees for participants in the crisis talks
The Minsk ceasefire deal was signed by both the Donetsk and Luhansk rebel leaders, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky. Capturing either of them would be a major success for the Ukrainian authorities, but would jeopardise the ceasefire.The Minsk ceasefire deal was signed by both the Donetsk and Luhansk rebel leaders, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky. Capturing either of them would be a major success for the Ukrainian authorities, but would jeopardise the ceasefire.
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, click here. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and FacebookBBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, click here. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook