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-29290246
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine deal with pro-Russian rebels at Minsk talks | Ukraine deal with pro-Russian rebels at Minsk talks |
| (1 day 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 nine-point 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 nine-point 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 on 5 September. | The agreement was announced at talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk, where a ceasefire was agreed on 5 September. |
| 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 has been frequently violated but is still holding. | The original ceasefire has been frequently violated but is still holding. |
| Ukraine accuses Russia of arming separatists and sending Russian troops to the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Kremlin denies it has any role there. | Ukraine accuses Russia of arming separatists and sending Russian troops to the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Kremlin denies it has any role there. |
| In a separate development on Saturday, three powerful blasts rocked the main rebel-held city of Donetsk, with eyewitnesses saying that a chemical plant may have been hit. | In a separate development on Saturday, three powerful blasts rocked the main rebel-held city of Donetsk, with eyewitnesses saying that a chemical plant may have been hit. |
| Meanwhile, a humanitarian convoy of about 200 lorries from Russia arrived in the city. | Meanwhile, a humanitarian convoy of about 200 lorries from Russia arrived in the city. |
| Russia says the convoy - Russia's third in recent weeks - delivered food, water and generators, but this was done without Ukraine's authorisation. | Russia says the convoy - Russia's third in recent weeks - delivered food, water and generators, but this was done without Ukraine's authorisation. |
| 'Mercenaries' | '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). | 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). |
| Correspondents say it is an effort to add substance to the fragile ceasefire agreement. | Correspondents say it is an effort to add substance to the fragile ceasefire agreement. |
| Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, representing Kiev at the talks, said that all sides had agreed to move back some of their heavy weapons. | 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. | "Heavy artillery will be moved 15km away from the front line" he said. |
| He added that the deal would be implemented within 24 hours and monitors from the OSCE would travel to the buffer zone to check for compliance. | He added that the deal would be implemented within 24 hours and monitors from the OSCE would travel to the buffer zone to check for compliance. |
| Minsk memorandum: Key points | Minsk memorandum: Key points |
| Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said that the two sides did not discuss the status of the rebel-held areas of Luhansk and Donetsk. | 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. | "We have our opinion on it while Ukraine has its own," he said. |
| Earlier this week, Ukraine's parliament passed a bill granting a three-year "self-rule" to parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - a move described as "capitulation" by some Ukrainian lawmakers. | Earlier this week, Ukraine's parliament passed a bill granting a three-year "self-rule" to parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - a move described as "capitulation" by some Ukrainian lawmakers. |
| The 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. | The 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. | 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. | But Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of actively sending troops and heavy weapons into Ukraine. |
| There are now fears in Ukraine that Russia wants to create a frozen conflict in eastern Ukraine, the BBC's David Stern in Kiev reports. | There are now fears in Ukraine that Russia wants to create a frozen conflict in eastern Ukraine, the BBC's David Stern in Kiev reports. |