Ceasefire protocol signed in Minsk

Representatives of Kiev, LNR and DNR signed a protocol on ceasefire in Donbas 19.00 MSK, informed the official Twitter account of the People’s Republic of Donetsk.

President of Ukraine Petr Poroshenko confirmed the signing of a preliminary protocol to an agreement on a cease-fire, which will come into effect on Friday.

«In Minsk has been signed a preliminary protocol to an agreement on a cease-fire. This Protocol shall come into force on Friday», — he wrote in his microblog on Twitter.

«The cease-fire will save people’s lives» — Twitter of DNR Prime Minister, Alexander Zaharchenko.

«Most of the articles of this protocol meet our requirements, but the cease-fire does not shift the focus from our separation from the rest of Ukraine. This is a forced measure, «- said the head of the People’s Republic of Lugansk Igor Plotnitsky.

It is reported that the protocol consists of 14 articles, which include all aspects of control, exchange of prisoners and other issues.

The meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine in Minsk on Friday was attended by ex-President (of Ukraine) Leonid Kuchma, the Russian ambassador to Kiev Michail Zurabov, OSCE Special Representative Heidi Tagliavini, the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Donetsk Alexander Zaharchenko, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Purgin and the head of People’s Republic of Lugansk Igor Carpenter.

Later spokesman for the Deputy Prime Minister of DNR decalred that they pledge to adhere to the Minsk ceasefire agreement, however it will be terminated if there is a single shot from Kiev side.