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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MINSK I<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal in the Belarusian capital in September 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its provisions included prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of heavy weapons, five months into a conflict that had by then killed more than 2,600 people – a toll that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says has since risen to around 15,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MINSK II<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the leaders of two pro-Russian separatist regions signed a 13-point agreement in February 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, gathered in Minsk at the same time, issued a declaration of support for the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It set out military and political steps that remain unimplemented. A major blockage has been Russia’s insistence that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore is not bound by its terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Point 10, for example, calls for the withdrawal of all foreign armed formations and military equipment from the two disputed regions, Donetsk and Luhansk: Ukraine says this refers to forces from Russia, but Moscow denies it has any forces there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 13 points were, in brief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Monitoring and verification by the OSCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by parliamentary resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. An exchange of hostages and prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Provision of humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Restoration of full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Intensifying the work of a Trilateral Contact Group comprising representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MINSK I Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal in the Belarusian<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"