KIEV, Ukraine
Ukraine and Russia have signed an agreement to halt fighting in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The memorandum, signed on Saturday in Minsk by representatives of the two countries and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is the latest attempt to stabilize the region following repeated violations of a cease-fire signed earlier this month.
The new agreement comes into effect on Sunday and creates a 30km buffer zone between Ukrainian government forces and separatist fighters and stipulates the withdrawal of heavy weaponry.
The agreement was signed after a meeting between Ukraine’s former President Leonid Kuchma, Mikhail Zurabov, Russia’s ambassador to Ukraine, separatist delegates and OSCE representative Haidi Tagliavini.
Fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in April and the U.S., EU and Ukraine allege Moscow has since unofficially backed pro-Russian separatists with arms, training and even direct military support.
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