Pro-Russian Rebels Sign Roadmap for Implementation of Minsk Agreement

Kiev and the pro-Russian rebels have signed a roadmap for the implementation of the ceasefire drafted during the marathon 17-hour talks in Minsk, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko.

Poroshenko, as cited by AFP and The Telegraph, informed that the contact group had signed a document that had been prepared amid substantial tension.

Putin specified that they had reached agreement on a set of measures to implement the Minsk deal.

The pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine said that the agreement gave rise to hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The ceasefire takes effect on February 15.

The deal, announced after 17 hours of talks between the leaders of Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine, involves the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and the release of all prisoners, according to the BBC News.