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Ukraine crisis: Leaders agree peace roadmap Ukraine crisis: Leaders agree peace roadmap
(35 minutes later)
A deal aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Ukraine has been agreed, following marathon talks in Belarus. An agreement aimed at ending the fighting in Ukraine has been reached, following marathon talks in Belarus.
The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France announced that a ceasefire would begin on 15 February.The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France announced that a ceasefire would begin on 15 February.
The deal also involves the withdrawal of heavy weapons from conflict areas, but some issues remain to be settled. The deal also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled.
The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have signed the agreement. Thousands of people have died in almost a year of fighting in the region. The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have signed the agreement. Thousands of people died in almost a year of fighting in the region.
French President Francois Hollande said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would ask their European Union partners to support the deal at a summit later on Thursday.
The agreement - reached after 17 hours of negotiations in Minsk - includes:
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Minsk says the deal is very similar to a ceasefire agreed last September, which unravelled very quickly.The BBC's Richard Galpin in Minsk says the deal is very similar to a ceasefire agreed last September, which unravelled very quickly.
The latest agreement - reached after 17 hours of negotiations in Minsk - includes:
French President Francois Hollande said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would ask their European Union partners to support the deal at a summit later on Thursday.
Ms Merkel said there was now a "glimmer of hope" but big hurdles remained.Ms Merkel said there was now a "glimmer of hope" but big hurdles remained.
Paul Kirby, BBC News online Europe editorPaul Kirby, BBC News online Europe editor
If the Minsk ceasefire failed last September, then how is this different and could it work?If the Minsk ceasefire failed last September, then how is this different and could it work?
If both sides follow the deal, heavy weaponry will be hauled further back from the front line - not 15km (nine miles) as before, but from 50km (30 miles) to 140km for longer-range weapons. It would take civilians in Donetsk beyond the range of big guns, as well as residents far away from the front line in government-controlled Kramatorsk. The new ceasefire line is the same as the old, so the rebels would lose some of their gains but they would keep Donetsk airport. If both sides follow the deal, heavy weaponry will be hauled further back from the front line - not 15km (nine miles) as before, but rather 50km to 140km, allowing for longer-range weapons. This would take civilians in Donetsk beyond the range of big guns, as well as residents in government-controlled Kramatorsk.
But there is no deal yet on the fate of Debaltseve, a major town where government forces are under siege and that could prove significant. The new ceasefire line is the same as the old one for the rebels - but for government forces, it is the current front line, so territory lost by government forces is confirmed as lost but not gained by the rebels, although they keep Donetsk airport. They would keep Donetsk airport, but there is no deal yet on the fate of Debaltseve, a major town where government forces are under siege, and that could prove significant.
Ukraine is promised its international border back - a major sticking point - but only after local elections in the east, and after a comprehensive deal on decentralisation of the rebel regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. There is much that can go wrong before that.Ukraine is promised its international border back - a major sticking point - but only after local elections in the east, and after a comprehensive deal on decentralisation of the rebel regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. There is much that can go wrong before that.
Key unresolved issues include the status of Debaltseve, a government-held town surrounded by rebels that has been the focus of fierce fighting in recent days.Key unresolved issues include the status of Debaltseve, a government-held town surrounded by rebels that has been the focus of fierce fighting in recent days.
Further talks will also be held on self-rule in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions.Further talks will also be held on self-rule in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions.
Mr Putin told Russian television: "It wasn't the best night for me, but it's a good morning."Mr Putin told Russian television: "It wasn't the best night for me, but it's a good morning."
Mr Poroshenko - who had accused Russia of making "unacceptable" demands - said that "despite tension and pressure" Ukraine had not succumbed to "ultimatums".Mr Poroshenko - who had accused Russia of making "unacceptable" demands - said that "despite tension and pressure" Ukraine had not succumbed to "ultimatums".
The separatist leader in the Luhansk region, Igor Plotnitskiy, welcomed the agreement. Russia rejects accusations by Ukraine and Western powers that it is supplying weapons and personnel to the rebels - who are seeking independence for the areas they control.
"We hope that thanks to our efforts today Ukraine will change and stop firing at civilians, hospitals and socially important facilities," he said. Ongoing fighting
The separatists gave the agreement a cautious welcome. In Luhansk, rebel leader Igor Plotnitskiy said: "We hope that thanks to our efforts today, Ukraine will change and stop firing at civilians, hospitals and socially important facilities."
Donetsk separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said he would blame Kiev if the ceasefire collapsed, and there would "be no meetings and no new agreements".
More than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict began. There has been a dramatic rise in casualties in recent days, with 263 civilians killed in populated areas between 31 January and 5 February.
The BBC's James Reynolds in rebel-held Donetsk says he heard explosions there after the agreement was signed.
On Thursday, Ukrainian military officials said 50 Russian tanks, as well as armoured vehicles and rocket launchers had crossed into Ukraine earlier in the day.
The US has refused to rule out supplying "lethal defensive weapons" to Ukraine if diplomacy fails, but Russia says that would worsen the crisis.
Do you live in eastern Ukraine? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you live in eastern Ukraine? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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