Agreement reached on weapons' withdrawal from east Ukraine

Moscow, Feb 22 (IANS/TASS) The government and pro-independence rebels have agreed to start the process of withdrawal of heavy weapons from the troubled regions in east Ukraine, a rebel spokesperson said Sunday.

"The pullout was expected to start three days ago but nuances were determined and now all the sides have agreed and decided that Feb 22 will mark a two-week countdown for the weaponry withdrawal," the spokesperson said.

Kiev has also agreed to start the heavy weaponry pullout from Sunday, the spokesperson added.

The withdrawal will last about two weeks as was prescribed in the Minsk ceasefire accords. "Preparatory works are under way. Tomorrow (Monday) will be a holiday and the process of weaponry pullout will really start from February 24," he said.

The pullout by the warring sides is part of the peace agreement reached after negotiations between leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France Feb 12 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to end the conflict.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) serves as a mediator and observer of the implementation of the Minsk agreement.

--IANS/TASS

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