BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Russia’s envoy to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov hopes that the warring sides in eastern Ukraine will withdraw weaponry from the line of contact as stipulated in the Minsk agreements.
On February 12, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany brokered a deal between Kiev forces and independence supporters in eastern Ukraine. The 13-point document stipulates a ceasefire that came into effect on Sunday, a withdrawal of heavy artillery and an "all-for-all" prisoner swap.
Under the deal, the warring sides must withdraw heavy artillery from the line of contact within two weeks starting from February 17.
Earlier in the day, the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic confirmed the militias’ readiness to withdraw weapons from the line of contact after Kiev starts pulling back its weaponry, adding that it should happen simultaneously.
