Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Ukraine crisis: EU warns Russia over Ukraine agreement


12 February 2015 Last updated at 18:47 ET

by Maria Ogryzlo, Natalie de Vallieres, and Biodun Iginla, BBC News

News of the peace deal spread to soldiers on the front line, says the BBC's Ian Pannell

Ukraine crisis

Russia will face fresh sanctions from the EU if a deal to end the Ukraine war is not fully implemented, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned.
She said EU leaders had asked officials to prepare further sanctions in case an agreed ceasefire was not respected.
The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France sealed a deal on Thursday after marathon talks in Belarus.
The ceasefire is due to begin in eastern Ukraine at midnight on Saturday but both sides remain sceptical.
Pro-Russian rebels have signed the agreement, which also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled.
Clashes between government forces and the rebels continued on Thursday and one Russian-backed commander said his forces would not stop fighting.
Thousands of people have died in almost a year of fighting in the region.
In another development, the World Bank said on Thursday it was ready to provide up to $2bn billion (£1.3bn) in financial assistance to Ukraine this year as part of an international package of support.
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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
AP
At the scene: James Reynolds, BBC News, Donetsk city
Tonight, the centre of this rebel heartland is quieter than before. The sound of artillery fire in the distance has become more sporadic but it has not entirely ended.
Donetsk remains a semi-deserted city. Many residents who remember the failure of last September's ceasefire agreement will spend the night in their basements and shelters.
One local told me he hoped the ceasefire would work but said he wanted "New Russia" to remain in the future. "There are only a handful of people who will want to be part of Ukraine," he said.
Rebel forces continue to hold their checkpoints and positions and see no immediate need to retreat. One fighter said he did not trust the other side to stop shooting. Others have told the BBC that they will carry on fighting in the name of their fellow soldiers who have been killed.
Who benefits from the Minsk deal?
Q&A: Why is east Ukraine hit by conflict?
Media reaction in Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine: The conflict in maps
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'A good morning' Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said implementation of the agreement, reached by leaders in the Belarusian capital Minsk, would be difficult.
A sticking point is the disputed town of Debaltseve, a key government-held town besieged by rebels, where fighting is still going on.
Further talks will also be held on self-rule in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions.
Rebel fighters carry a coffin at Mospino, near Donetsk, 12 February Rebel fighters buried their dead in the village of Mospino near Donetsk on Thursday
Unmarked graves at Mospino, near Donetsk, 12 February Unmarked graves could be seen in Mospino's cemetery
Members of the Ukrainian army ride on an armoured personnel carrier near Debaltseve - 12 February 2015 A key test of the ceasefire will be what happens in the town of Debaltseve, where fighting is still going on
The latest agreement includes:
  • Ceasefire to begin at 00:01 local time on 15 February (22:00 GMT 14 February)
  • Heavy weapons to be withdrawn, beginning on 16 February and completed in two weeks
  • 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
Speaking after the 16-hour talks ended, Mr Putin told Russian television: "It wasn't the best night for me, but it's a good morning."
Mr Putin announced the ceasefire at a news conference in Minsk
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it offered a "glimmer of hope", while French President Francois Hollande said "the coming hours will be decisive".
The White House welcomed the agreement as a "potentially significant step" but expressed concern over reports of continued fighting in eastern Ukraine.
"All the parties must show complete restraint in the run-up to the Sunday ceasefire, including an immediate halt to the Russian and separatist assault on Debaltseve and other Ukrainian towns," Mr Kerry said in a statement.
Sanctions threat Both Mr Kerry and Ms Merkel said sanctions on Russia could be lifted - but only if the Minsk agreement was respected.
But the German leader warned: "We hold open the possibility, if these new agreements are not implemented, that we must take further measures."
EU President Donald Tusk echoed her comments, saying the bloc would "not hesitate to take the necessary steps" if the agreement failed.
Earlier, separatists gave the agreement a cautious welcome but Donetsk rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said Kiev would be to blame if the deal collapsed and warned that there would "be no meetings and no new agreements".
Mr Poroshenko - who had accused Russia of making "unacceptable" demands - said rebels had launched an offensive after the agreement was announced.
Map of Ukraine rebel-held areas
The renewed fighting came after Ukrainian military officials said on Thursday that 50 Russian tanks, as well as armoured vehicles and rocket launchers, had crossed into Ukraine.
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supplying weapons and personnel to the rebels but Russia denies this.
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.

Two accords - what are the differences?

September 2014 February 2015
The ceasefire No precise timing set. Starts at 00:00 local time on 15 Feb.
Withdrawal of heavy weapons No timetable, buffer zone of 30km (19 miles) to be created. Buffer zones from 50km to maximum of 140km; withdrawal to start by 16 Feb. Completion within two weeks.
Withdrawal of troops 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). 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 OSCE to monitor border permanently, and security zones to be set up on both sides of border. 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 Immediate. To be completed at latest on fifth day after military withdrawal.
Economic help for Donetsk/Luhansk Provide humanitarian aid and work to restore normal economic activity (no timetable). 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.
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