Poroshenko, Putin agree on cease-fire in eastern Ukraine

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. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany have agreed on a cease-fire in Donbas starting from 12 a.m. on Feb. 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Feb. 12.

The deal was reached following overnight talks between Putin, his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Minsk, kyivpost reports.

Hollande said that the parties had reached an agreement to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

According to a copy of the agreement published by Ukrainska Pravda, heavyweaponry must be withdrawn by 50 to 140 kilometers, depending on the type of equipment, within 14 days. Ukrainian and Russian equipment will be withdrawn from the de facto frontline and the Sept. 19 demarcation line, respectively.

The deal also stipulates amnesty for Kremlin-backed insurgents and mercenaries, providing humanitarian aid to occupied territories, resuming social payments to them and holding local elections in separatist-controlled areas.

Other clauses envisage exchanging all Ukrainian prisoners for all separatist prisoners within five days after the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, as well as withdrawing Russian regular troops and mercenaries and disarming all illegal armed groups without specifying a timeline for that.

Under the agreement, Ukraine must carry out a constitutional reform in an effort to promote decentralization and grant more self-government to the occupied territories by the end of 2015.

The deal also envisages restoring Ukraine's control over its border if Ukraine carries out a constitutional reform and holds elections in the occupied territories by the end of 2015.