Webinar for the new USAID "Agribusiness Partnership Initiative" in Ukraine
About the program: Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation with USAID/Ukraine announces the Agribusiness Partnership Initiative, a solicitation for public private partnerships that support...
By: USEmbassyKyiv
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Webinar for the new USAID "Agribusiness Partnership Initiative" in Ukraine - Video
MINSK, Belarus Guns will fall silent, heavy weapons will pull back from the front, and Ukraine will trade a broad autonomy for the east to get back control of its Russian border by the end of this year under a peace deal hammered out Thursday in all-night negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.
The deal was full of potential pitfalls that could derail its implementation, however. In announcing the plan, Russia and Ukraine differed over what exactly they had agreed to in marathon 16-hour talks, including the status of a key town now under rebel siege.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that the agreement envisages a cease-fire beginning Sunday (2200 GMT (5 p.m. EST) Saturday) as well as a special status for Ukraines separatist regions and provisions to address border concerns and humanitarian issues.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said there was no agreement on any autonomy or federalization for eastern Ukraine, a longtime demand of Russia, which wants that to maintain leverage over Ukraine and prevent it from ever joining NATO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a ceasefire would begin on Sunday with the withdrawal of heavy weapons.Photo: EPA
The deal, however, requires the Ukrainian parliament to give wide powers to the eastern regions as a condition for restoring Ukraines full control over its border with Russia a provision certain to trigger heated political debate in Kiev.
Uncertainty remained even on the cease-fire, as Putin admitted that he and Poroshenko disagreed on the situation at a key eastern flashpoint, the government-held town of Debaltseve.
We now have a glimmer of hope, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who brokered the talks in the Belarusian capital of Minsk together with French President Francois Hollande. But the concrete steps of course have to be taken, and we will still face major obstacles. But, on balance, I can say what we have achieved gives significantly more hope than if we had achieved nothing.
More than 5,300 people have died since April in the fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and government troops. Battles continued to rage Thursday even as the four leaders were holding peace talks.
The new deal envisages a buffer zone created by pulling back heavy artillery and rocket systems 50 to 140 kilometers (31 to 87 miles) away from the front line, depending on their caliber. The withdrawal should begin no later than the second day after the cease-fire becomes effective and it should be completed within two weeks.
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Ukraine peace deal hammered out after all-night talks
Absolutely Massive Explosion in Ukraine HD
By: Caleb Nix
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Absolutely Massive Explosion in Ukraine HD - Video
Fighting intensifies in Ukraine in run-up to Wednesday #39;s peace talks in Minsk
Pro- Russian rebels are said to be closing in on the Ukrainian town of Debaltseve. Fighting on Monday left nine Ukrainian troops and seven civilians dead. Debaltseve which is a major rail...
By: euronews (in English)
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Fighting intensifies in Ukraine in run-up to Wednesday's peace talks in Minsk - Video
Poland Rules Out Sending Heavy Weapons to Ukraine: Polish Defence Minister backs Merkel
Polish Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak has ruled out providing heavy weapons to Ukraine. In a February 10 interview with Poland #39;s Gazeta Wyborcza, Siemoniak said there was no chance of ...
By: UKRAINE TODAY
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Poland Rules Out Sending Heavy Weapons to Ukraine: Polish Defence Minister backs Merkel - Video