Marathon talks lead to Ukraine ceasefire agreement

An agreement aimed at ending the fighting in Ukraine has been reached, following marathon talks in Belarus.

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France announced that a ceasefire would begin on 15 February.

The deal also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled.

The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have signed the agreement. Thousands of people died in almost a year of fighting in the region.

French President Francois Hollande said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would ask their European Union partners to support the deal at a summit later on Thursday.

Merkel said there was now a "glimmer of hope" but big hurdles remained.

The latest agreement includes a ceasefire to being at midnight on 15 February and the removal of heavy weapons from conflict zones on 17 February, to be completed in two week. 

All prisoners will be released and amnesty granted to those involved in the fighting. All foreign armed formations, weapons and mercenaries will be withdrawn from Ukrainian territory. All illegal groups will be disarmed.

Ukrainian authorities will facilitate the resumption of normal life in rebel-held areas by lifting restrictions and a constitutional reform to enable decentralization for rebel region will be drawn up by the end of 2015. If conditions are met, Ukraine will control the border with Russia by the end of the year.