Angela Merkel: No illusions regarding the results of negotiations

Many obstacles remain to reach peace in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she had no illusions after the outcome of the talks in Minsk, and warned that many obstacles remained to reach peace in Ukraine, reports AFP.

It should be reminded that today in Minsk 16-hours' negotiations in Norman format have completed. After the meeting, the heads of Ukraine, France, Russia and Germany have adopted a declaration which has reaffirmed the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine. They have also approved a package of measures to implement Minsk Agreements, adopted and signed in Minsk on 12 February.

The document, in particular, specifies that the militants and the army of Ukraine must cease fire at midnight on February 15. Thereafter, the parties will begin to withdraw heavy weapons, so that the "security zone" ranged from 50 to 140 kilometers. Also, the separatists and the army should hold prisoner swaps in the "all for all" format (Poroshenko declared about the imminent release of Nadezhda Savchenko from a remand prison, but Moscow does not confirn it), meduza.io writes.

Ukraine will hold a constitutional reform in the interests of Donbas residents and will provide amnesty to all involved in the fighting. The OSCE, for its part, should monitor the ceasefire and the withdrawal of all "foreign weapons, forces, equipment and mercenaries" from Ukraine. In "certain areas" of Lugansk and Donetsk regions (likely in the "security zone") are to be held local elections.