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'Glimmer of hope' for Ukraine after new ceasefire deal

Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed a deal offering a "glimmer of hope" for an end to conflict in eastern Ukraine, but the United States and NATO said further intense fighting on Thursday ran counter to the spirit of the accord.

 

The agreement, announced after more than 16 hours of discussions through the night in the Belarussian capital Minsk, was followed swiftly by allegations from Kiev of a new, mass influx of Russian armour into rebel-held eastern Ukraine.

 

It envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists from Sunday, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line, and constitutional reform to give eastern Ukraine more autonomy.

 

Fighting has intensified in recent days as the rebels try to take control of Debaltseve, a strategic transport hub that would link the two separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine, where elections are envisaged under the accord.

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.12.15, 23:09