Minsk- Agreement on ceasefire, liberation of all hostages and illegally detained persons achieved

[Hindustani78]

The agreement on ceasefire, liberation of all hostages and illegally detained persons has been achieved following the meeting in Minsk - Official web-site of President of Ukraine
12.02.2015 13:09
Press office of President
The agreement on ceasefire, liberation of all hostages and illegally detained persons has been achieved following the meeting in Minsk

Difficult negotiations in the Normandy format with participation of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President of France Francois Hollande and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have been finished in Minsk. The negotiations lasted over 18 hours. "The Trilateral Contact Group has signed a document, which has been elaborated in difficult discussions. The main thing is that at midnight (the night from February 14 to February 15) unconditional ceasefire will be established. It is crucially important for us given the unleashing conflict in the ATO area," Petro Poroshenko informed.

Difficult negotiations in the Normandy format with participation of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President of France Francois Hollande and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have been finished in Minsk. The negotiations lasted over 18 hours. "The Trilateral Contact Group has signed a document, which has been elaborated in difficult discussions. The main thing is that at midnight (the night from February 14 to February 15) unconditional ceasefire will be established. It is crucially important for us given the unleashing conflict in the ATO area," Petro Poroshenko informed.

According to him, the Ukrainian party has faced a series of unacceptable conditions. "We didn't yield to any ultimatum and clearly emphasized that the ceasefire would be declared without any preliminary conditions. The ceasefire must provide for the pullback of heavy artillery with the caliber over 100 mm at a distance of 25 km from the Minsk line both for the illegal armed groups and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The overall buffer area will thus be equal to 50 km," the President told. At the same time, buffer area for multiple launch rocket systems will be equal to 70 km; for MLRS "Smerch", "Tornado" and "Uragan" - 140 km.

The agreements provide for the liberation of all hostages within 19 days. The pullback of heavy artillery must be carried out within 14 days, then, within 5 days, hostages must be liberated. The President has informed that he had touched upon the issue of Nadiya Savchenko's liberation. "I was informed that it will be done shortly after the medical expertise and preliminary investigation. I insisted that it should be done immediately. Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande supported me in this issue," the Head of State noted.

The President has informed that there was also a clear commitment to withdraw all foreign troops from the territory of Ukraine in the nearest time.

Also, the implementation of a part of the Minsk agreements on the border closure has been designated in details. It was emphasized that after the completion of political settlement, a joint protection of the Ukrainian border with participation of the OSCE representatives should be implemented. "By the end of the year, in the second stage, Ukrainian border guards should fully regain control over the border," the President informed. According to him, dates and figures have been clearly stipulated in the joint declaration of the Heads of State in Minsk.

Answering the question of journalists whether the autonomy of the territories has been discussed, President Poroshenko has noted that despite rigid insistence, the Ukrainian party hadn't agreed to the autonomy status. "Broadening of powers of the Ukrainian regions will take place solely under the constitutional amendments on decentralization. We didn't yield to any compromise on federalization," the President said. Petro Poroshenko added that social payments in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions must be restored after the "stabilization of the situation and restoration of state sovereignty of Ukraine".

The President has also emphasized that the OSCE mission would ensure the monitoring over the ceasefire regime. In the nearest time, the functioning of the joint center for the control over these agreements will be restored. On February 13, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Muzhenko and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov are planning a meeting to ensure control over the ceasefire regime.

Also, according to the Head of State, the agreement had been reached on unconditional access of Ukraine and international partners to the provision of humanitarian assistance for the people living in the occupied territories. "We will do everything to overcome the humanitarian crisis and deliver all the necessary to the local population," Petro Poroshenko has emphasized.

 

[Hindustani78]

Declaration in Support of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements Approved in Minsk on February 12, 2015 - Official web-site of President of Ukraine
12.02.2015 16:38
Press office of President
Declaration in Support of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements Approved in Minsk on February 12, 2015
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Angela Merkel, reaffirm their full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. They firmly believe that there is no alternative to an exclusively peaceful settlement. They are fully committed to undertake all possible individual and joint measures to this end.

Against this background, leaders endorse the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements adopted and signed on February 12, 2015 by all signatories who also signed Minsk Protocol of September 5, 2014 and Minsk Memorandum of September 19, 2014. Leaders will contribute to this process and will use their influence on relevant parties to facilitate the implementation of that Package of Measures.

Germany and France will provide technical expertise for the restoration of the segment of the banking system in the conflict affected areas, possibly through the establishment of an international mechanism to facilitate social transfers.

Leaders share the conviction that improved cooperation between the EU, Ukraine and Russia will be conducive to the crisis settlement. To this end, they endorse the continuation of trilateral talks between the EU, Ukraine and Russia on energy issues in order to achieve follow-up stages to the gas winter package.

They also support trilateral talks between the EU, Ukraine and Russia in order to achieve practical solutions to concerns raised by Russia with regards to the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

Leaders remain committed to the vision of a joint humanitarian and economic space from the Atlantic to the Pacific based upon full respect for international law and the OSCE principles. To this end, they agree to establish an oversight mechanism in the Normandy format which will convene at regular intervals, in principle on the level of senior officials from the foreign ministries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Feb. 11 in Minsk. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany have agreed on a ceasefire deal.
© AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin, France's President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (L-R) attend a meeting on Feb. 11, 2015 in Minsk.
© Mykola Lazarenko

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko walk at the presidential residence in Minsk, on Feb. 12, 2015, during a meeting aimed at ending 10 months of fighting in Ukraine.
© AFP

Editor's note: Below is the unofficial translation of the full text of agreements reached by the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia in Minsk on Feb. 12, 2015.

1. Immediate and full cease-fire in particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine and its strict fulfillment as of 00 hours 00 minutes (Kyiv time) on Feb. 15, 2015.

Pull-out of all heavy weapons by both sides to equal distance with the aim of creation of a security zone on minimum 50 kilometers apart for artillery of 100 mm caliber or more, and a security zone of 70 km for MLRS and 140 kilometers for MLRS Tornado-S, Uragan, Smerch and tactical missile systems Tochka U.

- for Ukrainian troops, from actual line of contact;

- for armed formations of particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine, from the contact line in accordance with the Minsk memorandum as of Sept. 19, 2014

The pullout of the above mentioned heavy weapons has to start no later than the second day after the cease-fire and finish within 14 days.

This process will be assisted by OSCE with the support of the Trilateral Contact Group.

Effective monitoring and verification of cease-fire regime and pullout of heavy weapons by OSCE will be provided from the first day of pullout, using all necessary technical means such as satellites, drones, radio-location systems etc.

On the first day after the pullout a dialog is to start on modalities of conducting local elections in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation and the Law of Ukraine “On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts,” and also about the future of these districts based on the above mentioned law.

Without delays, but no later than 30 days from the date of signing of this document, a resolution has to be approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, indicating the territory which falls under the special regime in accordance with the law “On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts,” based in the line set up by the Minsk Memorandum as of Sept. 19, 2014.

Provide pardon and amnesty by way of enacting a law that forbids persecution and punishment of persons in relation to events that took place in particular departments of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine.

Provide release and exchange of all hostages and illegally held persons, based on the principle of “all for all”. This process has to end – at the latest – on the fifth day after the pullout (of weapons).

Provide safe access, delivery, storage and distribution of humanitarian aid to the needy, based on an international mechanism.

Define the modalities of a full restoration of social and economic connections, including social transfers, such as payments of pensions and other payments (income and revenue, timely payment of communal bills, restoration of tax payments within the framework of Ukrainian legal field)

With this aim, Ukraine will restore management over the segment of its banking system in the districts affected by the conflict, and possibly, an international mechanism will be established to ease such transactions.

Restore full control over the state border by Ukrainian government in the whole conflict zone, which has to start on the first day after the local election and end after the full political regulation (local elections in particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts based on the law of Ukraine and Constitutional reform) by the end of 2015, on the condition of fulfillment of Point 11 – in consultations and in agreement with representatives of particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group.

Pullout of all foreign armed formations, military equipment, and also mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine under OSCE supervision. Disarmament of all illegal groups.

Constitutional reform in Ukraine, with the new Constitution to come into effect by the end of 2015, the key element of which is decentralization (taking into account peculiarities of particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, agreed with representatives of these districts), and also approval of permanent legislation on special status of particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in accordance with the measures spelled out in the footnotes, by the end of 2015.

14:59 12.02.2015
Withdrawal of heavy arms to begin no later than second day after truce

The withdrawal of heavy armaments from the line of contact between the warring sides in southeastern Ukraine is due to begin no later than the second day of the ceasefire and must be completed within 14 days.

The requirement is set in a package of measures towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements signed at the Contact Group on Thursday.

The document said that the OSCE supported by the Trilateral Contact Group would be fostering that process.

Consistent with the package, the OSCE shall provide effective monitoring and verification of the ceasefire and heavy arms' withdrawal since the very first day of their withdrawal.

The monitors will be using every technical instrument they may need, such as satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars and others.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that parties to the Ukraine peace talks in Minsk had agreed to cease fire at 00:00 on February 15.

Minsk-2 gives chance to rebuild Donbas - Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
18:08 12.02.2015

The new agreements reached in Minsk are a chance to rebuild the ruined Donbas and, if disrupted, Russia will be held responsible, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said.

"The agreements reached in Minsk today open a real path towards peace in Donbas, to a start of a process of economic and social reconstruction of the region," he told Interfax-Ukraine.

They are based on the September Minsk agreements, he said.

"The current document is a follow-up to the Minsk-1, but its important advantage is that it sets a clear timeframe for compliance with all clauses which eventually should lead to Donbas returning to a normal life," the diplomat said.

"The Set of Measures" includes all items important for Ukraine: removal of foreign troops from Ukraine, Ukraine regaining control over the border, release of all hostages, holding legitimate elections in accordance with the Ukrainian laws and under control of international organizations, he said.

The support expressed by the four leaders in the declaration and the control mechanism on the part of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) should guarantee compliance with the document, Perebyinis said.

"Whether they will work in practice, we'll in the coming days," he said

"Regrettably, experience shows that the illegal armed groups in Donbas would begin violating all previous agreements as soon as these were reached. In this instance, it is Russia which today demonstrated that it directly controls and sends militants and bears full responsibility for a possible disruption of these agreements. I am convinced that a tough reaction from the West to such actions will not be long in coming," the spokesman said.

 

[Hindustani78]

White House: true test of Minsk deal on Ukraine to come| Reuters
WASHINGTON Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:45pm EST

The White House said on Thursday the Minsk deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine was a "potentially significant step" but said heavy weapons must be withdrawn from the conflict zone and that Russia must pull out its own soldiers and equipment.

"The true test of today's accord will be in its full and unambiguous implementation, including the durable end of hostilities and the restoration of Ukrainian control over its border with Russia," the White House said in a statement that made no reference to the possibility of fresh U.S. sanctions.

"The United States is particularly concerned about the escalation of fighting today, which is inconsistent with the spirit of the accord," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in the statement.

"This agreement must now be followed by immediate, concrete steps to fulfill the commitments by all parties. The cease-fire must be implemented and honored. Heavy weapons must be withdrawn from the conflict zone, and Russia must end its support for the separatists and withdraw its soldiers and military equipment from eastern Ukraine," he added.

The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia for its support of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Earnest made no reference to the possibility of additional U.S. sanctions, in contrast to a White House comment on Tuesday describing a conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House said then: "If Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including by sending troops, weapons, and financing to support the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise."

Reuters / Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Ukraininan President Petro Poroshenko looks back, followed by Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin after a meeting in Minsk, Belarus, February 11, 2015. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor

 

[Hindustani78]

Lithuanian president: Minsk pact fails to settle key border issue - EN.DELFI

Thursday, February 12, 2015

The four-way negotiations in Minsk failed to settle the key issue on control of Ukraine's borders, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė says.

"In Minsk, a partial ceasefire agreement was reached, I would like to put an emphasis on this – this is just ceasefire, and only time will show whether it will become reality. A ceasefire agreement was reached in Minsk five months ago, and it was not implemented. So, this is only ceasefire. The main issue of border control remains unsolved," Grybauskaitė told Brussels journalists on Thursday.

In her words, as long as the border control issue is not settled, "Russia's army and heavy munitions were able to move across the border in the past and potentially now".

 

[Hindustani78]

Outraged Dutch fear that Minsk amnesty agreement will apply to those who shot down Malaysian Airlines MH17
Feb. 13, 2015, 7:19 p.m. | Ukraine


The Dutch Parliament fears that those responsible for shooting down Malaysian Airlines MH17, an attack that killed 298 over the skies of war-torn eastern Ukraine, will be granted amnesty under the Minsk II peace agreement reached on Feb. 12.











One of the agreed points in the reached Minsk deal is to pardon those who may have committed a war crime in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. This particular point has caused political outrage in the Netherlands, which is leading the criminal investigation of the MH17 crash. It is feared that those responsible for downing MH17 could never be held legally liable.

The opposition of the Dutch Parliament has called for an emergency parliamentary session with Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.

"We urgently need to know what exactly is meant with the pardon and amnesty clause, as Ukraine is involved in both the Minsk agreement and the joint investigation team that investigates the tragic MH17 crash on July 17," said opposition member Pieter Omtzigt.

The investigation is still ongoing into who shot down the passenger plane, but the evidence points to a strike by Kremlin-backed separatists, who bragged about the attack shortly after it happened.

Meanwhile, relatives of the MH17 victims have sent an urgent letter to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing their concerns about the current developments in Ukraine. 'It doesn't need any explanation that the relatives of the 298 killed people on MH17 demand that those who are responsible for the horrible attack should be tracked down, prosecuted, and punished', said the letter.

As the details of the new Minsk agreement were released, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was in Brussels at the European Union summit. He told reporters that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has personally assured Rutte that if those responsible are found, that they would not fall under the amnesty clause of the Minsk deal.

Members of the Dutch Parliament, however, are not so satisfied with the statement Poroshenko has given to Rutte. Some 193 of the victims are from the Netherlands.

"It is totally unacceptable to include an amnesty clause in the Minsk agreement without informing the Netherlands which is leading the criminal investigation that will possibly lead to pro-Russian rebels. Ukraine has not legally obliged itself to exclude those responsible for the MH17 crash," coalition member Michiel Servaas said.

"Ukraine is a party in the joint MH17 investigation as well as in the Minsk agreement. The Dutch government will closely work together with Ukraine in the criminal investigation. If the responsible are found, I find it very unlikely that Ukraine would pardon them', Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told the Dutch Parliament.

There have been many signs that MH17 was downed by a ground-to-air missile launcher known as a BUK. Many argue that the BUK must have crossed the border from Russia and been used by Kremlin-backed separatists trained by Russian forces to use the sophisticated weapon that can blow a plane out of the sky from a distance of 10,000 meters.

The Dutch parliament, however, hopes that those who shot down MH17 will never be pardoned by the Ukrainian government.

13 February 2015 Last updated at 16:58 GMT
BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Fierce fighting after Minsk peace deal

Intense fighting has been reported in eastern Ukraine, a day after a peace deal was reached in Minsk.

The fiercest battles were over control of the town of Debaltseve, a strategic town in between rebel-held areas.

The group responsible for monitoring the ceasefire, due to start at midnight on Saturday, says there is still "quite serious live fire" in several areas.

European leaders have warned Russia that it faces additional sanctions if the Minsk agreement is not respected.

BBC journalists in Donetsk heard new shelling on Friday morning while Russian TV said Luhansk also came under bombardment overnight.

But Ukraine's army said the most ferocious fighting centred on Debaltseve, a railway junction where rebels have besieged government troops in a last-ditch effort to win the town.

"The enemy continues to build up forces in the main areas of the armed conflict. The most tense situation is near Debaltseve," military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told reporters.

Ukrainian troops rumbled towards the town of Debaltseve on Friday where fighting continues to rage

A rocket killed a young child near a school in Artemivsk, a government-held town near Debaltseve

President Poroshenko said there was "a long way to go to peace" while visiting a training base on Friday

Women embrace as they wait for a bus, carrying evacuees to Russia, to leave Donetsk
On Friday, the Ukrainian military said eleven soldiers had died and 40 more wounded in the previous 24 hours, while rebels said seven civilians had been killed.

Earlier, two more people died when rebels shelled a cafe in Shchastya, near Luhansk, according to the head of the Kiev-controlled regional administration.

A young child was also reported to have been killed when a rocket landed near a school in Artemivsk, a large government-held town near Debaltseve.

The new clashes came amid wider doubts about the peace deal agreed following marathon negotiations between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.

Troop movements
Michael Bociurkiw, spokesman for the OSCE monitoring group, said they were hopeful the deal would be fully implemented, but said things on the ground remained very turbulent.

"We feel that the Minsk agreements are really the only available roadmap to a sustainable ceasefire. But now unfortunately... there's quite serious live fire in areas like Luhansk, Debaltseve," he said.

He also said monitors had witnessed "significant movements" of unmarked military vehicles and convoys.

Pro-Russian rebels signed the peace agreement but key issues remain to be settled - and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned that implementation would be difficult.

A new round of EU asset freezes and travel bans against 19 Ukrainian separatists and Russians - in response to deadly fighting in the city of Mariupol in January - will come into effect on Monday regardless of the latest deal.

'Glimmer of hope'
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel says wider measures, including further sanctions on Russia, could be implemented if the ceasefire is not upheld.

She has called the deal "a glimmer of hope", adding: "It is very important that words are followed by actions."

Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supplying weapons and personnel to the rebels but Russia denies this.

It reaffirmed that denial on Friday, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisting it could only be a "guarantor" because it played no direct role in the conflict.

"[Russia] is not a party that has to take action in this matter. We simply cannot do that physically, because Russia is not a participant in this conflict," he said.

The latest Minsk agreement includes:

• Ceasefire to begin at 00:01 local time on 15 February (22:01 GMT 14 February)
• Heavy weapons to be withdrawn, beginning on 16 February and completed in two weeks - beyond a buffer zone behind the current front line for Ukrainian forces and behind the September front line for separatist forces
• All prisoners to be released; amnesty for those involved in fighting
• Withdrawal of all foreign troops and weapons from Ukrainian territory. Disarmament of all illegal groups
• Ukraine to allow resumption of normal life in rebel areas, by lifting restrictions
• Constitutional reform to enable decentralisation for rebel regions by the end of 2015
• Ukraine to control border with Russia if conditions met by the end of 2015

Continue reading the main story
Ukraine conflict
The human cost
5,486

people killed since conflict began in April 2014

• 12,972 wounded across eastern Ukraine
  
  
• 5.2 million people estimated to be living in conflict areas
  
  
• 978,482 internally displaced people within Ukraine, including 119,832 children
  

United Nations report, 6 February Note: UN Human Rights Mission in Ukraine and the WHO believe actual death toll is considerably higher.
AP
The truce will be monitored by the OSCE - but with only 412 international monitors in Ukraine, some analysts have expressed doubt that they are there in adequate numbers to do the job.

Few in Donetsk expect a sudden and complete end to war, says the BBC's James Reynolds who is there.

Officials say more than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict began, but the UN believes the actual death toll to be much higher.

There has been a dramatic rise in casualties in recent days, with 263 civilians killed in populated areas between 31 January and 5 February.

Continue reading the main story
Two Minsk accords - what are the differences?


The ceasefire
February 2015 - No precise timing set.
September 2014 - Starts at 00:00 local time on 15 Feb.


Withdrawal of heavy weapons
February 2015 - No timetable, buffer zone of 30km (19 miles) to be created.
September 2014 - Buffer zones from 50km to maximum of 140km; withdrawal to start by 16 Feb. Completion within two weeks.



Withdrawal of troops
February 2015 - Pull-back demanded from existing frontline (at the time of signing the Ukrainian army had pushed the rebels back, but later the rebels made big gains).

September 2014 - Ukrainian army pulls back from current frontline, but rebels retreat from 19 Sep 2014 line, so some recent rebel gains will be lost.



Control of Ukraine-Russia border

February 2015 - OSCE to monitor border permanently, and security zones to be set up on both sides of border.

September 2014 - Ukraine to regain full control of border only after local elections in Donetsk and Luhansk and after a full political settlement - deadline is end of 2015.


Release of all hostages
February 2015 - Immediate.
September 2014 - To be completed at latest on fifth day after military withdrawal.



Economic help for Donetsk/Luhansk

February 2015 - Provide humanitarian aid and work to restore normal economic activity (no timetable).

September 2014 - Provide humanitarian aid; restore full economic links with Donetsk/Luhansk, including welfare payments and banking services; Ukrainian state to help develop Donetsk/Luhansk and regions' co-operation with Russia.




Closure of Ukrainian-Russian border is key condition of Minsk agreements – Yatseniuk
13.02.2015

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk reiterated that the closure of the Ukrainian-Russian border is a key condition of the Minsk agreements and it is also important to regain control over Donetsk and Luhansk.

According to the Ukrainian government website, Yatseniuk said in an interview with the CNN that Russia has to "withdraw its troops, heavy weapons, artillery and disarm all illegal groups."

"However, the main issue is whether we can regain control over the Ukrainian-Russian border […] Closing the Ukrainian-Russian border is a key condition," Yatseniuk said.

Yatseniuk believes that Russia "will drag out this process."

"However, our purpose is to regain control over Donetsk and Luhansk, restore the Ukrainian administration in all regions, including those that are under temporary control of the terrorists, who are led by Russia," he said.

Yatseniuk also said the Ukrainian government "will never speak with terrorists."

"My government will not make any concessions that sabotage the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine. It is our common position with President Poroshenko," Yatseniuk said.

 

[Galad]

There will be no "ceasefire".Only most clueless and complety detach of reality people can think otherwise.Neo-nazis west backed criminals from "Right Sector" and all so-called "volunteer"batalions full with mercenaries have already said will continue fighting.Best what will be achieved- a short low-intensity(max till spring) battle here and there and exchange of prisoners.That is.

 

[Hindustani78]

There will be no "ceasefire".Only most clueless and complety detach of reality people can think otherwise.Neo-nazis west backed criminals from "Right Sector" and all so-called "volunteer"batalions full with mercenaries have already said will continue fighting.Best what will be achieved- a short low-intensity(max till spring) battle here and there and exchange of prisoners.That is.

On 16 Feb , ceasefire agreement will be implemented

 

[Hindustani78]

Poroshenko orders ceasefire by Ukrainian troops at 00:00 on Feb 15
00:16
15.02.2015

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the Ukrainian military engaged in the anti-terrorist operation in the east of Ukraine to cease fire in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"I want peace, that is why I order that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Service and other [Ukrainian troops] to cease fire at 00:00 on February 15," he said at a meeting of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine late on Saturday.

 

[Hindustani78]

President: Ukraine strictly adheres to the Minsk agreements | Міністерство оборони України

Friday, March 13. KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that Ukraine strictly fulfills the Minsk agreements. "I would like to stress that Ukraine steadily adheres to the undertaken commitments – we ceased fire," the Head of State noted in the course of the NSDC session.

Still, according to Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian servicemen have an opportunity to defend themselves and strike in response to aggression if necessary. "Ceasefire doesn't mean that we do not open fire in response. Respective orders, rights and commitments have already been provided to the military units and they have everything to defend themselves," the President emphasized.

At the same time, the President says that in parallel with the implementation of the agreements, Ukraine strengthens its positions by increasing the defense capacity. "We are conducting two parallel processes: the first process - we are strictly carrying out the requirements of the Minsk memorandum. The second process - we are actively and resolutely building up the combat potential of our Armed Forces," Petro Poroshenko said.

The President has informed the attendees on the results of negotiations with partners of Ukraine on the assistance in the restoration of combat capacity, particularly on the decision of the United States to provide non-lethal security assistance. "We will be armed with tactical UAVs, radio-electronic and counter-battery stations. Training and preparation of Ukrainian militaries, inter alia, with involvement of our partners from several NATO countries has been resumed," the President noted.

The Head of State has informed on his approval of the plan on building fortifications. The order of construction with respective appointment of contractors and RSA officials responsible for each area on the contact line and funding of these works has been agreed.

Petro Poroshenko has also reminded that under the agreements, upon completion of the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, all hostages must be liberated: "In eight days, when the period of heavy armament's withdrawal will expire, all hostages illegally kept by militants must be liberated within four days".

"We insist that hostages illegally kept in Russia must also be released and our partners from the United States and the European Union support us in this issue. It goes about Sentsov, Savchenko and other representatives of Ukraine," the President noted.

Press Service of the President of Ukraine

 

[Hindustani78]

21:23 Mar. 26, 2015
43 UN member states call on Russia to comply with Minsk peace agreement - read on - uatoday.tv


Joint statement issued on behalf of 43 countries in the UN Human Rights Council



43 countries issued a statement in support of Ukraine during the 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday, March 25.

They expressed serious concern over the fact that the occupation and illegal and illegitimate self-declared 'annexation' of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by Russia and hostile actions by Russia-backed illegal armed groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions causing the human rights situation in the country to worsen.

"We emphasize the crucial need for all parties to implement the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, Minsk Memorandum of 19 September 2014, and the 'Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements', signed in Minsk on 12 February 2015 and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015)."

"We call on the Russian Federation which signed the Package of Measures and joined the Declaration, to use all of its influence to press the illegal armed groups to fully comply with the Minsk Agreements and immediately halt their ceasefire breaches asdocumented by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission."

 

[Hindustani78]

Poland, Finland condemn annexation of Crimea and demand implementation of Minsk-2| Ukrinform

KYIV, March 31 /Ukrinform/. Warsaw and Helsinki support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and demand the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski and President of Finland Sauli Niinisto said this during a press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"We have a general consensus on the EU actions, regarding Ukrainian-Russian crisis and on the sanctions policy that help de-escalate the situation. We look forward to the implementation of the Minsk agreements," Komorowski said.

Niinisto said that the European countries "woke up in shock from what was happening in Ukraine and from aggression against this country."

"The progress in implementation of the Minsk agreements should continue," Niinisto said.

He added that it was necessary to create stable conditions for the development of the country.

Leaders of both countries emphasized that Russia's annexation of Crimea was a "clear violation of international law."

Komorowski and Niinisto also expressed satisfaction with the statements of Ukrainian authorities on carrying out internal reforms.

 

[Hindustani78]

Merkel says Ukraine ceasefire hasn't been fully implemented| Reuters

(Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that the situation in Ukraine had become calmer in the weeks following the Minsk agreement but added that the ceasefire had not yet been fully implemented.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin with Merkel, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said separatists supported by Russian soldiers were still involved in fighting even though that had been reduced. He said 75 Ukrainian forces soldiers had been killed and many injured since the Minsk ceasefire agreement took effect on Feb. 15.

(Reporting by Erik Kirschbaum and Michelle Martin)