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Ukraine crisis: Leaders agree peace roadmap Ukraine crisis: Leaders agree peace roadmap
(35 minutes later)
An agreement aimed at ending the fighting in Ukraine has been reached, 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 includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key 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 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.
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 includes:The latest agreement 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.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, while Mr Hollande said "the coming hours will be decisive".
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.
Analysis: Paul Kirby, BBC News online Europe editorAnalysis: Paul 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 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. For the rebels, the new ceasefire line is the same as the old one, so they lose some of the territory they have gained. But government forces must pull back from the current front line, and territory they have lost since January is confirmed as lost.
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. It separates the two sides but in some areas not by much, and again it falls on international monitors to observe the truce.
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. The real sticking point here is what happens to Debaltseve, where government forces are still under siege.
The only real buffer zone is for heavy weapons, with a minimum of 50km (30 miles) between rival forces' artillery (140km for rockets). France's President Hollande had proposed a demilitarised zone, but this is not it.
If the truce holds, then Ukraine gets its eastern border back. But only after elections in Donetsk and Luhansk held under Ukrainian law, and only after a comprehensive deal on reform and decentralisation.
There is a great deal that can go wrong before that.
Q&A: Why is east Ukraine hit by conflict?Q&A: Why is east Ukraine hit by conflict?
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.
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".
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.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.
Ongoing fightingOngoing 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." The separatists gave the agreement a cautious welcome.
Donetsk separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said he would blame Kiev if the ceasefire collapsed, and there would "be no meetings and no new agreements". 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."
But Donetsk separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said Kiev would be to blame if the ceasefire collapsed and warned that 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.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.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. Overnight, Ukrainian military officials said 50 Russian tanks, as well as armoured vehicles and rocket launchers, had crossed into Ukraine on Thursday.
The US has refused to rule out supplying "lethal defensive weapons" to Ukraine if diplomacy fails, but Russia says that would worsen the crisis.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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