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Ukraine deal with pro-Russian rebels at Minsk talks | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ukraine's government and pro-Russia rebels have agreed a memorandum on a peace plan for the eastern conflict. | Ukraine's government and pro-Russia rebels have agreed a memorandum on a peace plan for the eastern conflict. |
The deal includes setting up a 30km (19-mile) buffer zone, a ban on overflights of part of eastern Ukraine by military aircraft and the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries" on both sides. | |
The agreement was announced at talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk, where a ceasefire was agreed two weeks ago. | The agreement was announced at talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk, where a ceasefire was agreed two weeks ago. |
More than 3,000 have died in fighting in two eastern regions since April. | More than 3,000 have died in fighting in two eastern regions since April. |
The original ceasefire agreed on 5 September has been frequently violated but is still holding. | The original ceasefire agreed on 5 September has been frequently violated but is still holding. |
Ukraine accuses Russia of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons and military personnel, but Russia denies it has any role there. | Ukraine accuses Russia of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons and military personnel, but Russia denies it has any role there. |
'Mercenaries' | |
The deal was reached after late-night talks between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, eastern separatists and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). | |
Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, representing Kiev at the talks, said that all sides had agreed to move back some of their heavy weapons. | |
"Heavy artillery will be moved 15km away from the front line" he said. | |
He added that monitors from the OSCE would travel to the buffer zone to check for compliance. | |
Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said that the two sides did not discuss the status of the rebel-held areas of Luhansk and Donetsk. | |
"We have our opinion on it while Ukraine has its own," he said. | |
Russian ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, representing Moscow at the talks, said that "mercenaries" were fighting on both sides, and called on OSCE to oversee their removal. | |
Russia has repeatedly said that any of its citizens fighting alongside separatists in Ukraine are doing so in a private capacity. | |
But Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of actively sending troops and heavy weapons into Ukraine. |